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NovAugust 8, 2020
By Dr. Yue Xiaoyong, Former Chinese Ambassadorand Director of the Center for Global Studies at NADS of Renmin University of China; China Forum Expert of Tsinghua University
Prof. HuangRenwei, VicePresident of the Shanghai, Academy of Social Science; China Forum Expert of Tsinghua University
1. How do you view the current situation in Hong Kong? China passed a national security law that will make illegal subversion in the city. Critics all over the world call the law a death sentence to the autonomy of the city.
Dr. Yue: The current situation in Hong Kong gets better,more stable, secured and promising after adoption of The Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the Hongkong Special Administrative Region on June 30.In fact, more than 80 countries have openly shown understanding and support of China to adopt the law, which is a milestone in the practice of "One Country Two Systems", providing a strong institutional guarantee for its long-lasting implementation.The law is supported strongly by Chinese people and passed unanimously in the National People’s Congress, and a signature campaign to endorse the law was initiated in Hong Kong late May. Within eight days, almost three million Hong Kong residents signed online or at street stands. I would advise those who do care for Hongkong to read the original text of the lawto avoid any hearsay or misinformation. There are four offences with corresponding penalties prescribed in the law: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, collusion with foreign countries or external elements to endanger national security, which clearly indicates that the law is highly targetedaiming to protecting legitimate rights and freedoms of the people in Hong Kong.
2. EU and US have both condemned the law. Washington have begun changing special status of Hong Kong because China, as they say, eviscerated the freedoms in the city. Do you think it might seriously affect relations between western countries and China?
Dr. Yue: Yes, it will. No country has the right to intervene into other countries’ domestic affairs according to the UN Charter and international law. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China;Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic affairs. The law clearly aims safeguarding national security, which is long overdue,and any country would do alike, to protect legitimate rights, human rights included, and freedom of the people in Hong Kong. It is strange that some ones in EU or US are not happy with the law, which only shows that those people do not really care for a stable and prosperous Hong Kong. People need not worry at all about autonomous status of Hong Kong.
3. Only the first phase of trade agreement between US and China has been signed. What do you think is the best way forward between the two countries, considering broad differences of positions between the two?
Prof. Huang: The implementation of US–China phase one trade deal is on track. China has made real efforts in its implementation, which is not easy given the spread of coronavirus and economic downturn. The US government has also affirmedChina’s implementation of the deal. However, the US has recently again raised import tariffs on Chinese goods to 25% and openly stated that phase two trade deal is not under consideration, which is a serious violation of what they agreed with China. The US side should correct those wrong behaviors, work with China to implement phase one trade deal in earnest and reject protectionism and unilateralism.
4. There is a sense in the EU that Europe has become stranded between the two superpowers who have their own agendas and that EU needs to find its own position. Do you think that EU and China could form a strategic partnership one day?
Dr. Yue: Yes, I believe so. I hope that EU side could really concentrate on taking positive efforts with China to promote our bilateral cooperation and Chinais clearly opposed to EU recent intervening into China’s internal affairs regarding HK. In the long run, EU remains a major player in global arena. As our President Xi Jinping put it in June 22 video link meeting with the leadership of EU, that together, China and the EU will make their comprehensive strategic partnership one of global significance. With that vision both sides should focus on efforts for peoples' well-being, safeguarding world peace and security and promoting common development. EU need to work with China consistently and inclusively upon positive achievements to enhance mutual trust through cooperation based on equality and mutual respect with a shared future of mankind.
5. You were a Chinese ambassador to Ireland. Also, recently you wrote an article about Brexit and you sounded optimistic. How do you think Chinese relations with the UK will look like?
Dr. Yue: Some peopleappear concerned about smooth transition for the Brexit after agreement signed early this year due to the Covid-19 and downturn of the economy, I hope all relevant sides can solve problems in time and start a new page. The Sino-UK relationshiprecently faces difficulty mainly because of British sides’ keeping intervening into China’s domestic affairs regarding HK. UK should realize HK is part of China, take the big picture of China and UK relations in mind and stop doing wrong things.It is hoped that UK cherish this hard-earnedrelationship by taking constructive measures to put its China policy onto right track.
6. Could you describe how are things currently in China regarding coronavirus? Are people still afraid of the virus? What are some measures that are still implemented in China?
Prof. Huang：China has contained the spreading of Covid-19 and got a second wave under control. There are new confirmed cases daily but in single digits, most of which were imported. A month ago，Beijing saw an outbreak in Xinfadi market, now again has returned to zero infections. The Chinese people have by and large returned to normal life and resumed the production, while continuing strictly following disease control and prevention guidelines and to work with all other countries, Croatia included, in fighting the virus as long as the pandemic is still with us in the world.
7. The biggest critics of China claim that the government in Beijing cannot be trusted because of suppression of news in the early days of coronavirus epidemic. Can Beijing prove everybody wrong?
Prof. Huang：China is among the best in fighting the Covid-19 and supporting international society in the common efforts.It is understandable there is some criticism for the early stage of the pandemic, but frankly with a lot ofwrong guesswork and hearsay.Call a spade a spade and one would see that the fact is what has happened is an unexpected attack by an unknown virus to all humanity’s previous knowledge. It takes time to understand it. China has provided timely information to the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner, bringing the world at least two months’ time.It is unfair to blame China.
8. There is an ongoing dispute between India and China and recently there were some casualties on the border between forces. Both countries are nuclear powers. Are the relations with India, which are obviously not good, the main current preoccupation of the ministry of foreign affairs of your country?
Prof. Huang：China-India border clashes were not expected. Instead of provoking disputes, China was forced to defend itself. Prime Minister Modi publicly admitted that China did not initiate the attack on the Indian side of the Actual Line of Control. Beijing initiated touch with New Delhi to calm down tensions, both sides agreed with disengagement and de-escalation and stressed their unwillingness to see any flaring up. Beijing would like to see as alwaysto control, stabilize and resolve China-Indian border disputes through bilateral diplomatic channel. It is hoped that this principle is also upheld by India to work with China in the same direction.
9. How do you view the relations between Croatia and China? They seem to be on the rise, especially regarding the construction of the Pelješac bridge. What are main Chinese objectives regarding cooperation with Croatia?
Dr. Yue: Under the wise leadership of both sides, relationship between China and Croatia is among the best in Europe thanks to great efforts of our two peoples as I can obviously see. From beginning of the pandemic, our two countries have been making wonderful measures to support and help each other reflecting the idea of shared future for humanity as our President Xi Jinping put it. I also wrote an article commending about how partners both China and Croatia have tried successfully to restart construction for the Peljesac Bridge in a recovery effort, many of my Chinese friends are very happy with that remarkable progress.China is ready to further develop its friendship and cooperation with Croatia in a comprehensive way to make it a model of China-Europe cooperation in the new age.
Interviewed by: Dino Brumec,Vecernji list
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