The 29th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) adopted a new law on anti-foreign sanctions on Thursday.
The Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee has explained the background and purpose of the law, the major considerations during the drafting process, and the main systems and mechanisms established by this law.
According to the commission, in recent years, some western countries and organizations violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations, impose so-called “sanctions” on some Chinese state organs, organizations and government employees in accordance with their own laws, grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs.
The commission pointed out that the so-called “sanctions” imposed on China by some Western countries and organizations under the guise of upholding democracy and human rights are illegal and unreasonable. Non-interference in internal affairs is a basic principle in contemporary international relations and the rule of law. The United Nations has clearly stated that no State or group of States has the right to interfere directly or indirectly in the internal or foreign affairs of any other State for any reason whatsoever. Every State has the inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural systems, free from any form of interference by any other State.
China has always opposed any interference in China’s internal affairs by any country or foreign forces in any form or the imposition of one’s will on others. China is not what it was more than one hundred years ago, and the Chinese people are not to be bullied. In order to resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty, dignity and core interests and oppose Western hegemonism and power politics, the Chinese government has recently announced on many occasions that it will take corresponding countermeasures against individuals and entities of relevant countries.
The commission has also revealed details of the law, including basic foreign policies and principled positions, the circumstances under which countermeasures are taken and the targets to which countermeasures are applicable, the working mechanism of countermeasures and obligations of relevant organizations and individuals.
China Adopts Law Against Foreign Sanctions, Dismisses Concerns the Bill Might Affect Trade
China’s top legislature on Thursday passed a law against foreign sanctions, giving legal basis for the country to counter “discriminatory measures” from a foreign country.
The legislation was passed at the 29th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC).
The legislation was passed to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, dignity and core interests and oppose Western hegemonism and power politics, said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday at a regular press briefing.
Wang also dismissed concerns that the legislation may affect the relationship between China and other countries.
President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the new law.
Official: Some Western countries have ‘suppressed’ China
A few days ago, when the bill was sent for second reading, the country’s top legislature also stressed its necessity, saying “some Western countries” have “suppressed” the country.
For some time, out of political manipulation needs and ideological bias, some Western countries have used Xinjiang and Hong Kong-related issues as part of their pretexts to spread rumors, smear, contain and suppress China, said the office of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee on Monday.
The Chinese government has launched multiple corresponding countermeasures against entities and individuals of relevant countries since the beginning of 2021, the office’s spokesperson said.
In late January, Beijing slapped sanctions on 28 U.S. officials who served during former President Donald Trump’s era. That list includes former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has “gravely interfered in China’s internal affairs and undermined China’s interests,” according to a statement released about the sanctions.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference at the State Department, Washington, D.C., U.S., April 29, 2020. /AP
Before leaving office, Pompeo sent out a series of tweets pointing the finger at China, culminating with allegations targeting the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese media entities, policies concerning the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and China’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Pompeo is turning himself into a doomsday clown and joke of the century with his last madness and lies of the century,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying in January when asked to comment on the santions.
Experts: The bill won’t affect trade in China
When asked if the legislation would affect the trade environment in China, international law scholar Li Qingming dismissed such concerns.
“The opening-up policy of China will not change because of the passage,” Li told CRI. Li is a research fellow at the Institute of International Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
“The bill only targets those entities or individuals that smear or suppress China and will not affect the market entities and ordinary citizens who are running their business legally in the country.”
International law professor Huo Zhengxin with the China University of Political Science and Law also stressed the legitimacy of the newly passed law in an interview with CRI.
“The legislation this time by nature is to counter [others’ measures], and it fits into the principle of reciprocity under international law,” Huo said.
Credit & Publication: CGTN. Published: June 10th 2021. Source Links: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-10/China-adopts-law-on-opposing-foreign-sanctions-10YMx6knpMQ/index.html, https://newsaf.cgtn.com/news/2021-06-11/China-passes-law-to-counter-foreign-sanctions–10ZqpXtRjWw/index.html
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