Question: On 10 September, the Court of Common Council of the City of London has passed a motion, saying that “it notes the view of the British Government that China's imposition of the new National Security law breaches the terms of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermines the right of Hong Kong citizens to enjoy a high degree of autonomy”. It also notes the British Government has in response extended residence rights to British Nationals (Overseas) status holders living in Hong Kong and welcomes relevant Hong Kong resident. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in the UK?
Embassy Spokesperson: The Chinese side expresses grave concerns over and strong opposition to the motion passed by the Court of Common Council of the City of London, which makes unwarranted accusations against the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR and interferes in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs. I would like to point out:
First, the allegation that the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR “violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration” is a false proposition. The ultimate goal and core content of the Joint Declaration were about handing over Hong Kong to China. The rights and obligations of the UK laid out in the Joint Declaration were all fulfilled at the time of the handover on 1 July 1997. No country has the right to use the Joint Declaration as an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs.
Second, the claim that the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR "undermines high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong" is pure slander. The National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR plugs the legal loophole that had existed in Hong Kong for a long time. The implementation of the Law is conducive to upholding and improving “One Country, Two Systems”, protecting the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people, and safeguarding prosperity, stability and sustained security in Hong Kong.
Third, the UK side violates its obligations by providing right of abode in the UK for BNO passport holders from Hong Kong. In an MOU exchanged between China and the UK, the UK has explicitly pledged that BNO passport holders who are Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong shall not have the right of abode in the UK. The UK has now, in total disregard of the strong opposition and repeated representations of the Chinese side, offered a route for BNO passport holders from Hong Kong to the right of abode and application for citizenship in the UK. This seriously goes against UK’s own promises, interfered in China's internal affairs, and violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
In recent years, the City of London has been committed to promoting sub-national exchanges and financial cooperation between China and the UK. We hope that the City of London will cherish the hard-won achievements of China-UK cooperation, recognize the fact that Hong Kong is part of China, have a right and objective understanding on the National Security Law for Hong Kong SAR, immediately correct its mistakes and stop all forms of interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and inject positive energy into the development of China-UK relations, rather than the other way around.
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