Embassy spokesperson's remarks on wrong comment on China in Joint Statement on UK-Australia Virtual Summit

Question: On February 16th, the Prime Ministers of the UK and Australia had a virtual meeting and issued a joint statement, in which they?"expressed?concerns"?about affairs related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea. What is the comment of the Chinese Embassy in the UK?

Embassy spokesperson:?The China-related comments in the joint statement distort facts and confuse right and wrong, deliberately discrediting China on affairs related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South China Sea. This is interference in China's internal affairs and a severe violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. We express grave concern over and strong opposition?to the comments.

Affairs related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan are purely China's internal affairs, in?which no foreign country has the right to interfere. Nobody should underestimate the strong determination, will and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard their national sovereignty and security.

The so-called "violation of human rights"?in Xinjiang is sheer malicious slander. Xinjiang is now enjoying economic growth, social stability and ethnic solidarity. The basic rights of the people of all ethnic groups are fully safeguarded. Anyone without political bias would recognize this. We urge the relevant countries to respect the basic facts and stop fabricating and spreading rumours about Xinjiang.

China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. The central government?of China?governs the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the Constitution of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The fact that chaos has given way to order and?the restoration of order has?led to prosperity in Hong Kong fully proves that to enforce the Law on Safeguarding National Security, improve the electoral system and implement the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" in the Hong Kong SAR facilitate the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", provide better safeguards for the rights and freedoms of the majority of the local residents, promote the healthy development of the democratic system in Hong Kong, and ensure the city's lasting security, stability and prosperity.

Currently, the Taiwan authorities headed by the Democratic Progressive Party are colluding with external forces,?playing a provocation game with "Taiwan independence", and making every effort to expand its so-called "international space". Such escalating secessionist activities seeking "Taiwan independence"?are the biggest threat to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the root cause why Taiwan was repeatedly denied participation in multilateral events in recent years. We urge the relevant countries to uphold the one-China principle and refrain from having official engagments?of any form with Taiwan, or giving any encouragement to secessionist activities in the name of "Taiwan independence".

On the South China Sea, China's policies and position are consistent. China remains unwavering in its determination to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests. It also remains committed to addressing the disputes in a peaceful manner together with the parties directly concerned?and working with ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the region. China firmly safeguards and follows the rule of international law and always adheres to the accurate understanding and earnest implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It always respects and supports the freedom of navigation and over-flight of all countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, and strongly opposes provocations or trouble making by any country in the South China Sea in the name of freedom of navigation and over-flight. The labels of "militarisation", "coercion"?and "intimidation"?should not be stuck on China. Certain countries outside the region sent naval vessels and aircrafts to flex?their?military muscle?and stir up trouble in the South China Sea, and tried to drive a wedge between the countries in the region. This is a direct?threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea.

It must be pointed out that AUKUS has gravely undermined regional peace and stability, intensified arms race, and dealt a severe blow?to?the international nuclear non-proliferation system. Therefore, more and more countries have responded with vigilance and opposition. We urge the relevant countries to abandon the Cold-War mentality, stop forming small circles, stop creating divisions or inciting confrontation, and stop going further down the wrong path.