Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on August 7, 2019

Q: US Senator Cotton and Senator Romney yesterday expressed concerns about the repression conducted by Hong Kong police. They said China's Communist Party seems to be ready to repress Hong Kong protesters with violence. If Beijing enforces martial law in Hong Kong, the US will reevaluate its relationship with China, including suspension of US-China trade talks and revision of the US Hong Kong Policy Act. I wonder what is your response?

A: The recent protests and demonstrations in Hong Kong have turned into radical violent behaviors that seriously violate the law, undermine security and social order in Hong Kong, and endanger local people's safety, property and normal life. No responsible government will turn a blind eye to such serious violent crimes.

I want to ask these US senators, do you still remember how the American police dealt with the "Occupy Wall Street" movement in 2011? If Hong Kong's radical, violent and illegal activities happened in the US, what would the American police do? You called black white and talked nothing about the serious consequences of the radical, violent and illegal behaviors. Instead, you smeared the just actions taken by the Hong Kong police who have all along been professional, highly restrained and committed to safeguarding rule of law and social order.What are you really up to? What is your true intention behind the Hong Kong issue?

The central government firmly supports Chief Executive Carrie Lam in leading the SAR government to administer the SAR in accordance with law. The central government firmly supports the Hong Kong police in strictly enforcing law and firmly supports the punishment of violent criminals in accordance with law. The Chinese side must once again urge the relevant American politicians to immediately stop condoning violent crimes and grossly interfering in Hong Kong affairs. Chinese people do not believe in fallacy. Nor are we afraid of evil forces. Chinese people do not stir up troubles, and we are not cowards when involved in some. Any attempt to undermine "one country, two systems" and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability will be resolutely opposed by all Chinese people, including the Hong Kong compatriots. Any attempt to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs is doomed to fail.

Q: According to reports, former Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away at the age of 67 on August 6 local time. What's your comment on her passing? How do you comment on what she has done to promote China-India relations?

A: Madame Sushma Swaraj was a seasoned Indian politician. During her tenure as External Affairs Minister, she visited China many times and made important contributions to China-India relations. China deeply mourns for the passing of Madame Swaraj and expresses sincere condolences to her family.

Q: Will China invest in or grant loans to Samoa to build a new commercial port in Vaiusu or Asau? What is the intention of building a new port? Will China continue to develop new ports in Samoa?

A: I'm not aware of the specific project you talked about. I'd like to emphasize that China conducts mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation in infrastructure and other areas with Samoa and other Pacific island countries based on mutual respect and equal treatment. Our cooperation has effectively enhanced those countries' capability of independent sustainable development, advanced their national development and improved local people's lives. It is sincerely welcomed by all the island countries.

Q: In several Pacific island countries including Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu,the Chinese debt to GDP ratio is relatively high. If they cannot repay their debt, what action will China take?

A: China upholds the principle of equality, win-win results, openness and sustainability. We do our best to provide sincere assistance to Pacific island countries with no political strings attached. It has effectively advanced those countries' national development and improved people's lives. China's loans are granted on the basis of full respect for the will of recipient countries' governments. They are used in areas where there is an urgent need to develop while lacking funds. Before approving the loans, China conducts strict economic and technical evaluation and takes into full consideration the recipient countries' debt sustainability and repayment capacity.