Ambassador Liu Xiaoming Holds a Press Conference on the Question of Hong Kong

　　2019年7月3日，驻英国大使刘晓明在驻英国使馆就香港特别行政区发生暴力冲击立法会事件举行中外记者会，英国《金融时报》、《每日电讯报》、《泰晤士报》、《经济学家》、《卫报》、路透社、英国广播公司（BBC）、BBC广播四台、独立电视台、天空新闻台、电视四台等英国媒体，新华社、中央电视台、中国新闻社、中国环球电视网、中国国际广播电台、《中国日报》、《经济日报》、《科技日报》、《光明日报》、《环球时报》等中央媒体，以及美国有线电视新闻网（CNN）、凤凰卫视资讯台、《欧洲时报》、《英中时报》等25家中外媒体40余名记者出席。记者会实录如下：

On 3rd July 2019, H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming held a press conference at the Chinese Embassy on the violent attack against the Legislative Council complex of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. More than 40 journalists from 25 media agencies attended the press conference, including Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Economist, Guardian, Reuters, BBC, Radio 4, ITV, Sky News and Channel 4 of the UK, China's Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, China News Service, CGTN, China Radio International, China Daily, Economic Daily, Science and Technology Daily, Guangming Daily, and Global Times, as well as CNN, Phoenix Infonews, European Times, and UK Chinese Times. The following is the transcript of the press conference.

　　刘大使：7月1日，是香港各界人士纪念香港回归祖国和香港特别行政区成立的喜庆日子。但在这一天，却发生了一些极端激进分子以极为暴力的方式冲击香港立法会大楼、肆意损坏立法会设施的事件。他们的行为早已突破了言论自由和和平示威的界限，践踏了香港法治，破坏了香港社会秩序，损害了香港的根本利益，是对“一国两制”底线的公然挑战，我们对此予以强烈谴责。特区政府将依法追究暴力犯罪者的刑事责任，中央政府坚决支持香港特区政府对这起严重违法事件追究到底，依法处置；支持特区政府尽快恢复社会正常秩序，保障市民人身和财产安全，维护香港的繁荣稳定。

Ambassador: July 1st is a day of celebration and festivity for the people of Hong Kong from all walks of life to commemorate the return of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HONG KONG SAR). However, on this very day, some ultra-radicals stormed the Hong Kong Legislative Council complex in an extremely violent manner and wantonly damaged facilities inside. Such action has broken the boundaries to freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration, trampled on the rule of law in Hong Kong, undermined social order, compromised the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems". We strongly condemn such action. The Hong Kong SAR government will press criminal charges against the violent offenders in accordance with the law, and the Chinese Central Government firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR government in pursuing this serious case of offence and handling the incident in accordance with the law. We support the SAR government in restoring public order, protecting the personal and property safety of Hong Kong citizens and maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

　　在这样一个大是大非的问题上，英国政府选择站在错误一边。他们不仅发表不当言论，干预香港事务，而且为暴力违法分子撑腰打气。更有甚者，他们试图干扰香港法治，阻挠特区政府将肇事者绳之以法。中方已就此向英方多次提出严重交涉。在此我想再次强调，香港是中国的特别行政区，不是英国殖民统治下的香港。香港事务纯属中国内政，任何国家、组织和个人都无权干预。我们对英方粗暴干涉香港事务和中国内政表示强烈不满和坚决反对。

It has to be pointed out that on this major issue of principle, the UK government chose to stand on the wrong side. It has made inappropriate remarks not only to interfere in the internal affairs of Hong Kong but also to back up the violent law breakers. It even attempted to obstruct Hong Kong SAR government from bringing the criminals to justice, which is an utter interference in Hong Kong's rule of law. China has repeatedly lodged stern representations with the British side.

Here, I would like to reiterate that Hong Kong is China's Special Administrative Region. It is not what it used to be under the British colonial rule. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs which brook no interference from any country, organization or individual. We strongly condemn and oppose the gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs by the British side.

　　中方维护国家主权、安全和发展利益的决心坚定不移，维护香港繁荣稳定的决心坚定不移，坚决反对外部势力干预的态度坚定不移。我们要求英方深刻反省错误言行的后果，立即停止以任何方式干预香港事务和中国内政。

　　多国媒体、特别是英国媒体对此次事件做了大量报道，但坦率地讲，一些报道存在严重偏见，有些甚至是恶意中伤。我接到了不少媒体的采访要求，今天举行这场中外记者会，就是为了使更多媒体听到中方的声音，了解中方的立场，以正视听。现在我愿回答各位记者提问。

China's resolution to safeguard sovereignty, national security and development interests is unwavering. Our resolve to uphold the prosperity and stability in Hong Kong is unwavering. Our rejection to foreign interference is unwavering. We urge the British side to seriously reflect on the consequences of its words and deeds and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in whatever forms.

The world media, especially those here in the UK, have beening covering what happened in Hong Kong extensively. But to be frank, some reports are severely prejudiced and others are even ill-willed slander. I have received quite a number of requests for interview from different media institutions. So, today, I am holding this press conference in order to allow more media to get access to China's stance on the basis of truth and facts with regard to Hong Kong.

Now, I would like to take your questions.