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

A: The Chinese side has stated its solemn position repeatedly on deliberations over the Hong Kong-related act in the US Congress. We have also lodged solemn representations to the US side.

I want to stress again that the issue in front of Hong Kong is by no means about human rights or democracy, but rather about ending violence and chaos, restoring order and upholding rule of law. The US Congressman, turning a blind eye to the Hong Kong protestors' 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. 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 to resolutely uphold its own sovereignty, security and development interests.

I reiterate, Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs where no foreign forces shall be allowed to meddle. 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 have already responded to the latest disruptive activities and criminal acts of violent offenders in Hong Kong. The incessant large-scale violent offenses have pushed Hong Kong to a precarious position. As Chief Executive Carrie Lam stated, the rioters' behaviors have gone far beyond their so-called appeals. 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 to 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, stop making irresponsible remarks immediately, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs which are China's domestic affairs in any form.

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

A: ETIM organizations overseas have long been engaging in activities that undermine China's national security, attempting to seek the secession of Xinjiang from China. Their remarks are groundless.

Since 2015, China has released seven white papers on the counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts, vocational education and training and other areas of work 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 the wholehearted endorsement from people of all ethnic groups.

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