Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on November 13, 2019

Q: The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said yesterday that he wants the Senate to pass legislation to support the protesters in Hong Kong. Do you have any comment?

A: We stated our solemn position repeatedly on deliberations over the Hong Kong-related acts in the US Congress. We have also lodged solemn representations to the US side.

I want to stress again that the issue Hong Kong faces is not about "human rights" or "democracy", but about ending violence and chaos, restoring order and upholding rule of law. The US Congressman, turning a blind eye to the Hong Kong protesters' flagrant offenses including beating people, smashing properties and setting fire, openly bolstered radical forces and violent criminals. The aim is to undermine Hong Kong's stability and prosperity and to contain China's development. China firmly opposes that.

The US has significant interests in Hong Kong, too. If the relevant bills were to become law, not only would Chinese interests and bilateral relations be harmed, US interests would also be severely hurt. China will take strong countermeasures in response to any wrong US decision. We will resolutely uphold our own sovereignty, security and development interests.

I reiterate, Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. We urge the US to clearly assess the situation and pull back before it's too late. The US side must immediately stop pushing the relevant bills, stop supporting violent offenses, and stop using Hong Kong to interfere in China's domestic affairs.

Q: Also related to Hong Kong. The EU yesterday called for a comprehensive inquiry into the violence, use of force and the root causes of the protests. Do you have any comment on this?

A: The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, and the Chief Executive of the SAR all responded to the latest disruptive activities and criminal acts by violent offenders in Hong Kong. The incessant large-scale violent offenses have put Hong Kong in a precarious situation. As Chief Executive Carrie Lam stated, the rioters' behaviors have gone far beyond their so-called demands. They are becoming enemy of the people.

I want to stress that ending violence and restoring order is the paramount task in Hong Kong at this point. The central government firmly supports the SAR government, police and judicial organ in taking strong measures to bring criminal offenders to justice, protect Hong Kong residents' life and property, and restore tranquility and stability in the SAR.

I would also like to reiterate that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs where no foreign government, organization or individual shall interfere. We urge relevant sides to earnestly abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, immediately stop making irresponsible remarks, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's other domestic affairs.

Q: A US-based "East Turkistan" organization said yesterday that it has documented camps in Xinjiang holding Uighurs and other ethnic minorities. Can you comment on this?

A: "East Turkistan" organizations overseas have long been engaging in activities that undermine China's national security, attempting to split Xinjiang from China. Their remarks are groundless.

Since 2015, China has released seven white papers on the counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts as well as vocational education and training in Xinjiang, giving a thorough and clear account of relevant issues. The counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures have worked effectively, with zero violent terrorist incident in the past three years. The government's policies and measures have gained wholehearted endorsement from people of all ethnic groups.

Xinjiang has been enjoying stability, prosperity, ethnic unity and social harmony. That is there for all to see. All lies will crumble before the facts.