TASS:

Media outlets in some countries have recently published editorials claiming the law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR is a move that is against the principle of "one country, two systems". What's your comment on this? In addition, the same countries even threatened that China would become subject to severe sanctions. What's your take on that?  

Zhang Xiaoming:

First, the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR fully complies with the "one country, two systems" principle. It perfectly combines upholding the "one country" prerequisite and respecting the differences between "two systems". The purpose of the legislation is actually to safeguard "one country, two systems", and the content of the law does not go beyond the established framework. Its legislative effect is now foreseeable, and it will ensure the steady and long-term implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy. Certain occurrences deviating from the right track of the "one country, two systems" principle have occurred in Hong Kong, including some that have even challenged the bottom line of this policy. This law, to some extent, is intended to correct these deviations. Figuratively speaking, it intends to move closer to the side of "one country". This is ultimately to uphold and improve the "one country, two systems" policy rather than change it.

I noticed that certain politicians in some countries said we are now practicing a policy of "one country, one system" in Hong Kong. If that was so, it would be easy. We could simply implement China's national laws, including the Criminal Law, the Criminal Procedure Law and the State Security Law, in the HKSAR. Why would we go to such lengths to tailor-make a specific law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong? A key issue lies in whether one understands the "one country, two systems" policy fully and faithfully. We all know that the central government has been repeatedly stressing the importance of fully and faithfully implementing this policy, because some people in Hong Kong and somewhere else in the world always intentionally distort it. Every time when the central government exercises certain powers, some people in Western countries will jump out and unwarrantedly accuse it of undermining the "one country, two systems" policy and of eroding Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy. It seems to them that the central government of China should keep out of Hong Kong's affairs, while they can point their fingers at will. But, how could it be possible for the central government to sit and do nothing when the anti-China forces seeking to disrupt Hong Kong are rampantly carrying out acts and activities to split the country and jeopardize national security? Is there any country in the world that would turn a blind eye to the constant occurrence of crimes endangering its security?! "One country, two systems" is our national policy. No one cherishes it more than us; no one understands its true essence better than us; and no one enjoys more rights to define and interpret it than us.

As for the comments you have just mentioned, that some countries are threatening to impose severe sanctions on certain Chinese officials, I think that is the logic of banditry. What we are doing right now is formulating a law on safeguarding national security in one of China's local administrative regions. It's none of your business, because it's entirely our own domestic affair. What I have done should not offend you, so why should you use force against me? Hong Kong people like to ask, "Is there any mistake?" and say, "It's none of your business!" It is certain that we are not scared by these threats. The days when Chinese people took cues from others and were at their beck and call are long gone.