'Hong Kong self-determination' absurd, ignorant: Chinese diplomatic authorities
Xinhua | Updated: 2016-11-17 09:58
HONG KONG - It is totally absurd and ignorant to state that "Hong Kong has the right to self-determination," the Chinese diplomatic authorities have said.
A spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made the remarks Wednesday while responding to an article published by Wall Street Journal (Asia Edition).
Wall Street Journal's Nov. 10 article "Give Hong Kong Its Right to Self-Determination" stated that "it is time to advance our struggle to achieve the right to self-determination" and "the people of Hong Kong must challenge the legitimacy of our existing constitution."
"The writers of the article are openly advocating 'Hong Kong independence'," the spokesperson said through a letter to Wall Street Journal editors which was published by the newspaper on Wednesday.
The spokesperson said the so-called "Hong Kong nation" has never existed. Hong Kong is not a colony. It has been part of the Chinese territory in history and in reality, as well as in legal terms, which is recognized by the United Nations and countries around the world.
"Thus it is totally absurd and ignorant to state that 'Hong Kong has the right to self-determination'," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said what Hong Kong does enjoy, under the "one country, two systems" formula, is the high degree of autonomy. "One country" serves as the prerequisite and guarantee for the implementation of "two systems."
"It is gravely wrong and dangerous to claim that Hong Kong is not part of China and challenge the country's sovereignty and Constitution by advocating 'self-determination' and 'independence', which will undermine the interests of the country, of Hong Kong itself and its residents," the spokesperson said.
"The Chinese central government adopts zero tolerance for 'Hong Kong independence' activity of whatever form. We are committed to this unequivocal position with no leniency."
The spokesperson added that "we are against any provision of platform for such pro-independence advocacy which violates the Constitution and laws."
A spokesperson of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region made the remarks Wednesday while responding to an article published by Wall Street Journal (Asia Edition).
Wall Street Journal's Nov. 10 article "Give Hong Kong Its Right to Self-Determination" stated that "it is time to advance our struggle to achieve the right to self-determination" and "the people of Hong Kong must challenge the legitimacy of our existing constitution."
"The writers of the article are openly advocating 'Hong Kong independence'," the spokesperson said through a letter to Wall Street Journal editors which was published by the newspaper on Wednesday.
The spokesperson said the so-called "Hong Kong nation" has never existed. Hong Kong is not a colony. It has been part of the Chinese territory in history and in reality, as well as in legal terms, which is recognized by the United Nations and countries around the world.
"Thus it is totally absurd and ignorant to state that 'Hong Kong has the right to self-determination'," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said what Hong Kong does enjoy, under the "one country, two systems" formula, is the high degree of autonomy. "One country" serves as the prerequisite and guarantee for the implementation of "two systems."
"It is gravely wrong and dangerous to claim that Hong Kong is not part of China and challenge the country's sovereignty and Constitution by advocating 'self-determination' and 'independence', which will undermine the interests of the country, of Hong Kong itself and its residents," the spokesperson said.
"The Chinese central government adopts zero tolerance for 'Hong Kong independence' activity of whatever form. We are committed to this unequivocal position with no leniency."
The spokesperson added that "we are against any provision of platform for such pro-independence advocacy which violates the Constitution and laws."
