No objections from foreign diplomats towards Hong Kong’s security laws, Cui Jianchun says
- Head of China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong says dozens of foreign leaders he hosted in Hainan understood legislation is ‘the norm’
The head of China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong has said that no diplomats accompanying him on a trip to Hainan island raised objections to the city’s dual national security laws, stressing such protections are “the norm” everywhere.
Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the foreign ministry’s office in Hong Kong, made the remarks on Friday after wrapping up his five-day trip in Hainan joined by 50 people including diplomats and leaders of foreign business chambers.
“None of the consuls general, no matter if they are from developed or developing countries, have said ‘you are wrong’ about our national security laws, as this is the norm or convention for every country,” he said.
Cui said while some foreign legislators and politicians had little understanding of China, they should not object to the national security laws and make uninformed comments.
“The Chinese people will not accept this,” he said.
Hong Kong passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in March, mandated under Article 23 of the city’s Basic Law mini-constitution.
The ordinance covers 39 offences divided into five categories: treason; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection, and acts with seditious intention; sabotage; external interference; and theft of state secrets and espionage.
