Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope that Britain should respect China's legitimate right to safeguard national security in Hong Kong during a phone conversation on Monday with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. 

China and Britain, as two major countries with global influence, share the common responsibility of safeguarding world peace and development, Wang said, adding that strengthening mutually-beneficial cooperation in a wide range of fields between the two sides is in the fundamental and long-term interests of the two peoples. 

Noting that international peace and strategic stability are disrupted and damaged by unilateralism, Wang said the two countries shoulder the responsibility of upholding multilateralism and jointly safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law. 

Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no outside interference is allowed, Wang said, pointing out that maintaining national security in Hong Kong concerns China's core interests, thereby a major issue of principle that must be adhered to. 

The central government is responsible for upholding national security in China, as is the case in any other country, Wang said. 

Obvious loopholes and long-term deficiencies

While the central government authorizes its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to enact laws on its own to safeguard national security through Article 23 of the Basic Law, it does not change the fact that safeguarding national security is within the purview of the central authorities, Wang said. 

Faced with the actual harm and serious threat to the national security in Hong Kong, the National People's Congress (NPC) has decisively introduced new national security legislation for application in Hong Kong, which will help fill the obvious loopholes and long-term deficiencies in such area for Hong Kong as soon as possible, he said, adding that such a move is reasonable, legal and imperative. 

Wang stressed that the national security legislation for Hong Kong aims to better implement "One Country, Two Systems," adding that Article 1 of the decision passed by the NPC makes it clear that the principles of "One Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy will be fully and faithfully honored. 

This is another solemn commitment made by China's highest organ of state power to uphold the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" in the highest legal form of NPC legislation, Wang said, adding that China will never accept the groundless accusation that the national security legislation will change "One Country, Two Systems." 

Litmus test

Wang said the national security legislation for Hong Kong targets a very small number of "Hong Kong independence" separatists and violent elements, adding that the legislation will better ensure various rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents, and also make all law-abiding foreigners feel more at ease working and living in Hong Kong. 

The current capitalist system in Hong Kong will not change, nor will its rights to a high degree of autonomy enjoyed under the Basic Law, or the way of life of the Hong Kong residents, Wang said, adding that the national security legislation will only improve Hong Kong's legal system, social order and business environment. 

Calling the national security legislation a litmus test, Wang said, if one expects lasting peace and stability in Hong Kong, they should support rather than worrying about the legislation; if one wants "One Country, Two Systems" to go a long way, they should support rather than opposing the legislation. 

Basic norms

Both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said, China and Britain should set an example in abiding by the basic norms of international relations and not interfering in other countries' internal affairs. 

Looking back on the history of China-Britain relations, China has never interfered in Britain's internal affairs and has never pointed a finger at Britain's domestic affairs, Wang said. 

China hopes that Britain will respect the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law enacted in accordance with the Constitution, respect China's legitimate right to safeguard national security on its territory, and respect the Chinese central government's administration of Hong Kong under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," Wang said, adding that the British side must adopt a cautious attitude on this affair. 

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The Foreign Secretary spoke to Chinese State Councillor and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi on the UK's relationship with China. 

"On Hong Kong, the Foreign Secretary outlined the UK's deep concern at China's proposal to impose national security legislation. The Foreign Secretary made clear the UK's view that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms must be preserved in line with China's international obligations under the Joint Declaration. 

"They also discussed how the UK and China can work together on areas of mutual interest, including on climate change and trade. The Foreign Secretary welcomed Chinese Premier Li's participation in last week's Global Vaccines Summit hosted by the [UK] Prime Minister [Boris Johnson]."