Q: British Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokesman said on Monday that it was mistaken and counter-productive for China to block the investigation group from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee from entering Hong Kong, and the act would only serve to amplify concerns about the situation in Hong Kong. Richard Ottaway, chairman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said that the British side does not think for a moment that they are still a colonial power and the British side has every right to ascertain whether China is complying with its undertakings. What is China's comment on this?
A: We have repeatedly expounded on our principled position on relevant issue. It is clear to us all as for what the illegal activity of "Occupy Central" in Hong Kong really is, and the Chinese central government explicitly and firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in handling the situation in accordance with law. The Chinese side is resolute in opposing any interference in Hong Kong affairs by any foreign government, institution or individual in any form. If some people from the British side keep on doing so, they will only reap bitter results from their own irrational and futile actions.
Q: If criticism on the Chinese central government and Hong Kong SAR government from the British side continues, will this affect Sino-British relations? Will the current doings once again strain bilateral relations between China and the UK despite the UK's intention to repair the damaged relations with China caused by Dalai's visit to the UK?
A: Two basis facts should be known to the British side. First, Hong Kong has returned to China in 1997 and is now a special administrative region of China. Hong Kong affairs fall entirely within China's domestic affairs, and the Chinese side is unswervingly opposed to any interference in China's domestic affairs in any form by any foreign government, institution or individual. Second, the visit to Hong Kong insisted on by specific members of House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee is not a friendly visit in a general sense, it is a so-called "investigation" on China's territory, constituting an interference in China's domestic affairs. Their act is strongly opposed to and shall never be allowed by China.
With regard to how the China-UK relations might be influenced by the UK's wrong sayings, China's position is very clear. We always stand ready to develop friendly and cooperative relations with other countries including the UK. State-to-state relations should be based on principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs. We hope that the British side can work with us towards the same direction and promote the sound development of China-UK relations. This is in the interests of the two countries and two peoples.
Q: Former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took over the presidency of the European Council on December 1. How does China appraise former President Herman Van Rompuy? What are China's expectations for the new President and the development of China-EU relationship?
A: While serving as the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy has demonstrated attention, care and support to China-EU relationship and made proactive and substantive efforts to this end. The Chinese side appreciates the important contribution he has made to advancing China-EU relationship.
China congratulates Mr. Tusk on taking office as the European Council President. China is willing to work with the EU side to cement China-EU partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization, implement the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation, and bring the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high.
Q: Some people say that China's refusal of the entry by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee investigation group into Hong Kong contravenes relevant articles of the Basic Law. How does China respond to this?
A: I've answered this question yesterday. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and the central government is in charge of foreign-related affairs concerning Hong Kong. China's central government and the Hong Kong SAR government handle relevant issue in accordance with law. It is within China's sovereignty to decide who is allowed to enter China and who is not.
Q: China's anti-corruption campaign has been running for two years. Some people say a record number of corrupted officials are punished in this campaign, but others say there is still a lack of transparency about this campaign. How do you think the western countries should see China's current moves to fight corruption and retrieve fugitives and their illicit proceeds overseas?
A: Director General Xu Hong of the Department of Treaty and Law of China's Foreign Ministry held a press conference last week on China's international cooperation on combating corruption and retrieving fugitives and their illegal proceeds, reiterating China's staunch position on anti-corruption and allowing no safe haven for corrupted officials overseas. He also went into great details about concrete outcomes achieved by China in cooperation with relevant countries on combating corruption and retrieving fugitives and their illegal proceeds. From relevant outcomes produced in the recent 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing and the 9th G20 Summit in Brisbane, we can see that the international community has forged consensus on intensifying cooperation to fight against corruption and recover ill-gotten money. This is in the common interests of all countries. China stands ready to step up judicial cooperation with relevant parties and jointly crack down on cross-border corruption crimes.
