China has urged the United States to stop emboldening anti-China individuals seeking to destabilize Hong Kong, stressing that such actions undermine China's national security and Hong Kong's development and social stability, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.
The Hong Kong police announced on December 24 that it exercised the powers to specify seven wanted persons absconded overseas as absconders, including Kwok Fung-yee, and put six persons engaging in destabilizing activities, including Lau Ka-man, who have absconded overseas and are suspected to have committed offences under the law on wanted list.
"These so-called pro-democracy activists mentioned by the United States have absconded overseas and long engaged in destabilizing activities to disrupt and undermine Hong Kong's development and social stability. What they did gravely undermines national security and Hong Kong's fundamental interests and has a serious impact on 'one country, two systems,' which is a bottom line that must not be crossed. The Hong Kong police took law enforcement actions in accordance with the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. These are just acts that uphold the rule of law and meet people's aspirations. They are also necessary acts to defend China's sovereignty and security and legitimate acts to uphold long-term stability, development and prosperity in Hong Kong. The extraterritorial application of the Law on Safeguarding National Security is in strict compliance with international law and the common practices of countries and regions across the world," Mao said.
"The United States overstretches the concept of national security and arbitrarily imposes illicit long-arm jurisdiction on the one hand, and has made unjustified criticism over Hong Kong police's legitimate law enforcement activities on the other hand. This violates the spirit of the rule of law and fully exposes its hypocrisy and double standard. China deplores and firmly opposes this. Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and there is no place for foreign interference. We call on the United States to respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's rule of law and stop emboldening anti-China rioters," she added.
US urged to stop emboldening anti-China rioters
Governments at all levels across China are promoting consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrade with preferential policies and subsidies, bringing about significant growth in home appliance sales and equipment production. So far this year, the trade-in policies have brought a total sale of one trillion yuan (about 137 billion U.S. dollars) nationwide, and boosted production of trade-in-related goods like new energy vehicles (NEVs) and home-use freezers.
In Shanghai, in addition to the eight categories of nationwide subsidized products, like refrigerators, television sets, and computers, the local government introduced extra subsidies for additional home appliances, as well as interior materials, furniture, elderly-friendly products, and more to meet local needs.
According to statistics, Shanghai's trade-ins of home appliances have exceeded 6.4 million times, boosting trade of the eight categories by 30 to 40 percent compared to last year's statistics, and the total sales of home appliances on all platforms exceeded 10 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars).
In central China's Hubei Province, the local government is providing subsidies unlimited times for passenger vehicles trade-ins, expanding subsidized kitchen and bathroom appliances, and involving interior goods and materials to the list, benefiting consumers in over 4.5 million transactions and bringing a total sale of 50 billion yuan (about 6.8 billion U.S. dollars).
In the first three quarters, industrial equipment upgrade policies have stimulated investments in equipment and tools, featuring a 16.4 percent year-on-year increase, with food manufacturing, agricultural products processing, and metal smelting equipment production increasing by 38.1 percent, 34.6 percent, and 13.2 percent, respectively.
In addition to consumer goods, governments at all levels have been actively offering allowances and providing guidance for companies to upgrade appliances and technologies to facilitate domestic consumption "We have applied for nearly 50 million yuan (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) funding for equipment upgrades. With active advertising and mobilization, we encouraged local advantageous companies in machinery and medicine and health to apply, and provide guidance for them on company digitalization and technology upgrade," said Yu Biao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Bureau of Xinchang County in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province.
Companies are also benefiting from the policy, and many are pursuing expansion with government allowances.
"We have benefited from the 'one-time pre-tax deduction policy for equipment and tools under 5 million yuan (about 680,000 U.S. dollars)' and reinvested additional funds for the Phase II expansion. As a result, the annual processing capacity has increased from 80,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes," said Tang Kaibo, general manager of Liaoning Lvyuan Renewable Energy Development Co., Ltd.
Local governments promote trade-ins, equipment upgrade with policies, subsidies
