China calls its sanctions law 'necessary'

Nation firmly stands against long-arm jurisdiction, spokesman underscores

A spokesman for the first session of the 14th National People's Congress voiced on Saturday China's opposition to "long-arm jurisdiction", reiterating that its anti-foreign sanctions legislation is "justifiable and necessary".

Wang Chao made the remark at a news conference in Beijing ahead of the first session of the country's top legislature, which opens on Sunday. He was responding to a question about the draft proposal of the Foreign Relations Law of the People's Republic of China, which was made public at last year's NPC session.

Some countries have been abusing the extraterritorial application of their domestic laws, in violation of international law, with the aim of suppressing foreign entities and individuals and serving their own interests, Wang said.

"Such acts of bullying are widely criticized in the international community as long-arm jurisdiction. China stands firmly against such practices," he added.

In order to counter the containment of, suppression of and interference in its internal affairs, China has introduced a number of laws and regulations, including the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, to block the improper extraterritorial application of foreign laws and measures as well as "other provisions such as the Unreliable Entity List", the spokesman said.

China's core interests allow no infringement, and its sovereignty and territorial integrity brook no violation, Wang said. China introduces relevant provisions in law to firmly counter acts that undermine its sovereignty, security and development interests, and harm the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals, he said. "This is both justifiable and necessary."

While being fully committed to advancing the rule of law in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, China attaches great importance to enhancing the legal system with regard to further opening-up, the spokesman said.

The country has always adhered to the basic principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, Wang said, and it has been working hard to safeguard world peace, promote common development and foster cooperation with all countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

The spokesman unequivocally rejected the accusations that the Belt and Road Initiative would result in debt risks to partner countries in Africa.

"China is not the largest creditor of Africa, as data from the World Bank shows that nearly three-fourths of Africa's external debt came from multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors," he said, adding that the nation has always been committed to helping African countries ease their debt burden.

China has been actively engaged in the Group of 20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the case-by-case debt treatment, and the country has suspended the most debt service payments among G20 members.

Wang emphasized that in carrying out the Belt and Road cooperation, China never attaches any political strings or seeks any selfish political gains.

The BRI, proposed by China in 2013, has become a highly popular global public good and cooperation platform. Over 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations have signed the cooperation documents in the past decade, he said, adding that China will join hands with all partners to make new progress in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and also provide legal safeguards for the cooperation.