Reuters: China’s decision to press ahead with the national security legislation for Hong Kong may provoke threats of retaliation from the US. Is China concerned that Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub could be undermined?
Wang Yi: First of all, Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs and allow no external interference. Non-interference, as a basic norm of international relations, must be observed by all countries.
Second, the Central Government is responsible for upholding national security in China, as is the case in any other country. Through Article 23 of the Basic Law, the Central Government authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to fulfill its constitutional duty by enacting laws on its own. The authorization, however, does not prevent the Central Government from developing a legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in light of the actual situation and needs. The Central Government holds the primary and ultimate responsibility for national security in all sub-national administrative regions. This is the basic theory and principle underpinning national sovereignty and a common practice in countries around the globe.
Third, since the turbulence over proposed legislative amendments last June, we have seen increasingly rampant activities by “Hong Kong independence” organizations and radical localists in Hong Kong, escalating violence and terrorist activities as well as excessive, unlawful foreign meddling in Hong Kong affairs. All this has placed national security in serious jeopardy and posed a grave threat to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and the practice of “one country, two systems”. Under such circumstances, establishing a legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR has become a pressing priority. We must get it done without the slightest delay.
Fourth, the NPC decision targets a very narrow category of acts that seriously jeopardize national security and has no impact on Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy, the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents or the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors in Hong Kong. Instead of becoming unnecessarily worried, people should have more confidence in Hong Kong’s future. A legislative process will be set in motion following the adoption of the NPC decision. This will improve Hong Kong’s legal system and bring more stability, stronger rule of law and a better business environment to Hong Kong. It will protect the basic principle of “one country, two systems” and Hong Kong’s position as a global financial, trading and shipping center. I trust that it will receive understanding and support from all those who wish to see a stable Hong Kong and the sound and sustained implementation of “one country, two systems”.
The Paper: Is China concerned that Taiwan-related issues may add further strain to China-US relations?
Wang Yi: The 23 million people in Taiwan are our fellow compatriots. We have closely followed the COVID-19 developments in Taiwan, and we send our best wishes for the health of our Taiwan compatriots. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 situation, we have taken good care of our Taiwan compatriots on the Chinese mainland and given whatever help we can to those staying abroad. We will continue to do our utmost to meet Taiwan compatriots’ needs in fighting COVID-19.
The Chinese government and WHO have, in keeping with the one-China principle, made proper arrangements for Taiwan to participate in global health affairs as a region of China. The Taiwan region has unimpeded access to information and expert-level exchange and cooperation with WHO and its member states. There has never been any technical barrier, nor is Taiwan a loophole in the global fight against coronavirus. It’s the Taiwan authorities who have turned a blind eye to their people’s well-being. Turning its back on the 1992 Consensus that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, they have shut the door to cross-Strait consultation on Taiwan’s external activities.
The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair. The one-China principle is an international consensus and the political foundation of China’s diplomatic relations with other countries. We firmly oppose official interactions with the Taiwan authorities disguised as health cooperation. We firmly oppose Taiwan’s pursuit of so-called “international space” in violation of the one-China principle. We firmly oppose any external support and encouragement to those elements who take advantage of COVID-19 to seek “Taiwan independence”.
Reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is the trend of history. No individual or force can stop it from happening. We urge the US side to fully appreciate the great sensitivity of the Taiwan question and abide by the one-China principle and the three Sino-US communiqués. We advise the US side to ditch its illusions and political calculations. We remind the US side not to make any attempt to challenge China’s red line or misjudge 1.4 billion people’s strong resolve to defend national unification.
The Straits Times: Some say that China is taking advantage of COVID-19 to increase activities in the South China Sea? What’s your view? Will this affect the talks on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)?
Wang Yi: There is nothing to support the claim that China is using COVID-19 to expand its presence in the South China Sea. On the contrary, China has worked with ASEAN countries in recent months to beat the virus. We have assisted and supported each other, which has helped to strengthen mutual trust. Even as we speak, ships and planes carrying critical supplies are sailing in and flying over the South China Sea, a body of water that’s witnessing mutual assistance and cooperation between China and ASEAN. In sharp contrast to this, a few non-regional countries are flexing their muscles by sending military aircraft and vessels to the South China Sea. Their ill-intentioned and despicable moves are meant to sow discord between China and ASEAN countries and undermine the hard-won stability in the region.
In recent years, the situation in the South China Sea has stabilized due to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries. A lot of progress has been made in our cooperation on maritime search and rescue as well as marine conservation and research. The COC consultations are proceeding smoothly and speedily, with the second reading of the text already begun. China and ASEAN countries have agreed to conclude the COC at an early date, a goal we are confident and determined to achieve. No external interference can distract or sabotage our efforts. COVID-19 has put the consultations on a break, but China is coordinating closely with ASEAN countries to pick up where we left off as soon as possible. We will also explore new ways of maritime cooperation to safeguard peace and stability and promote development and prosperity in the South China Sea region.
