Q: On March 5, EEAS Spokesperson issued a statement on Hong Kong’s possible electoral reform, saying that if a decision is enacted by the Chinese National People's Congress, it would have potentially far-reaching negative consequences for democratic principles and democratically elected-representatives in Hong Kong. The EU called on China to carefully consider the implications. The statement also said that the EU stands ready to take additional steps. What’s your comment?
A: The ongoing Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) will deliberate on a draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. According to Article 31 and Article 62 of China’s Constitution and relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the NPC exercises the power to decide on the systems instituted in Hong Kong. The electoral system of Hong Kong is an important part of the political structure of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's situation in recent years has revealed that the region's electoral system needs to keep pace with the times and undergo improvements to provide sound institutional safeguards for the full and accurate implementation of the"One Country, Two Systems" and the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong". As China’s highest organ of state power, the NPC has undeniable authority and legitimacy to decide at the constitutional level to improve the electoral system of Hong Kong. It is absolutely in line with China’s Constitution and the Hong Kong Basic Law.
Hong Kong is part of China and its electoral system is part of China's local electoral systems. Thus, its design, development, and improvement are China's internal affairs. No foreign government, organization, or individual has any right to interfere. We urge the EU side to abide by international law and the basic norms governing international relations, abandon its wrong position on Hong Kong, stop those senseless words or fruitless efforts, and stop interfering in any format in China's internal affairs and Hong Kong affairs.