Liu Yuyin, spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva, on Monday voiced strong opposition to the remarks made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet concerning China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
When the 47th session of the Human Rights Council started on Monday, Bachelet talked of issues concerning the two regions and claimed that they have been closely monitoring the application of the national security law in the HKSAR. She also said she hoped to agree on terms for a visit this year to China, including Xinjiang.
In response, Liu said in a statement that the HKSAR and Xinjiang are inalienable parts of China's territory and issues related to them are China's internal affairs that brook no interference by any external forces.
He stressed that some countries and forces have spread "shameless lies" on Xinjiang out of political reasons to smear China's image, interfere in China's internal affairs and curb China's development.
Liu also said China welcomes the UN high commissioner for human rights to visit China and its Xinjiang region, but he made it clear that the visit should be a friendly one, aimed at promoting exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, and not an "investigation" with a presumption of guilt.
Speaking of the HKSAR, Liu said the national security law provides strong institutional and legal safeguards to ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of the region as well as the stability and success of "One Country, Two Systems." The law is supported by a majority of the city's residents, he added.
After the law's implementation, the residents no longer have to live under the threat of unrest and violence, the diplomat said, adding that it also ensures that various legal rights and freedoms are better exercised in a safe environment, including the freedoms of speech, press and publication.
"No freedom is border-less and can break through the bottom line of national security, which is clearly stipulated in the relevant international conventions. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, where everyone is equal before the law, no one is above the law, and violations of the law will certainly be prosecuted," he stressed.
