Chinese diplomat rejects British accusations on Hong Kong, Xinjiang related issues

GENEVA - A Chinese diplomat on Friday deplored and rejected the accusations of a British official made earlier at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council session, saying that the Hong Kong and Xinjiang related issues are not human rights issues in any definition.

Liu Yuyin, spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva, said that the essence of the issues is China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty, security and unity, uphold rule of law, and ensure that people live in peace and contentment. “On Sept. 25, the Minister of State of the UK made wanton accusations against China on Hong Kong and Xinjiang related issues at the Human Rights Council, abusing the platform of the Human Rights Council to spread disinformation and distort history. The UK side fully exposed its arrogance, bias and ignorance. China deplores and categorically rejects the accusations,” Liu said.

According to the Chinese diplomat, since the outbreak of “Fugitive Offenders Law” incident in Hong Kong in June last year, radical separatist forces, with the support of certain external forces, have become increasingly rampant in escalating violent and terrorist activities in Hong Kong. These acts challenged the bottom line of the “one country, two systems” principle and posed a serious threat to China’s national security. The legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) that China has established and improved are designed to plug the legal loopholes, safeguard national security and sovereignty, as well as ensure prosperity and stability in the HKSAR, he said.

He added that it reflects the will of all Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots. “The National Security Law for Hong Kong brings to justice only a very small number of criminal offenders who severely endanger national security. It protects the rights and freedoms of the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens who abide by law,” he said. (Xinhua)