Guo Jiakun

The statement issued by the EU Delegation to China represents a mischaracterization of facts, a deliberate vilification of China's human rights situation with false accusation and disinformation, a gross interference in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and a severe violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday in response to a statement issued by the EU delegation on the occasion of Human Rights Day 2025. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes that and has made serious démarches to the EU, the spokesperson said. 

The Chinese government attaches great importance to promoting and protecting human rights, and has found the path of human rights development that reflects the trend of the times and fits our national realities, the spokesperson continued. China has made historic progress in the human rights cause. It is a simple fact that anyone without bias can see, Guo said.

The affairs related to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong are China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. China's Xinjiang and Xizang enjoy social stability, economic growth and ethnic solidarity, and the local people now live a better life, the spokesperson said.  

The practice of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong has been a great success recognized extensively by the world. The people of the Hong Kong SAR enjoy extensive rights and freedoms in accordance with laws. China's Constitution fully protects citizens' freedom of speech and freedom of religious belief. China upholds the rule of law where everyone is equal before the law. Human rights should not be taken as an excuse to escape legal punishment, Guo said. 

It must be stressed that the human rights situation has deteriorated in recent years in the EU. Instances of human rights violations abound, including racial discrimination, infringement on the rights of refugees and immigrants, restrictions on freedom of speech, tolerance to hatred towards certain religious groups, judicial unfairness and violence against women, Guo said, noting that the EU turned a blind eye to its own problems while making irresponsible accusations against other countries. However, the world is not blind to hypocrisy and double standard. 

The spokesperson also stressed that the EU is not in the position to lecture others on human rights, still less picture itself as the "human rights defender."

We strongly urge the EU to take a harder look at itself, respect basic facts, view China's achievements on human rights in an objective manner, stop its megaphone diplomacy, stop politicizing human rights issues and using them as a tool, and stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, Guo said.