PNG backs China’s new security law

PAPUA New Guinea is among the 53 countries that supported China’s recently passed National Security Law for Hong Kong at the human rights council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Patrick Pruaitch said PNG’s support for China’s newly passed law was in line with its “One China policy”.
“The PNG government regards Hong Kong as an integral part of China and the government’s position is that China, as a sovereign nation, has an inherent right to pass laws governing its territories,” he said.
Pruaitch said PNG upheld a “one China policy” since the two countries established diplomatic relations more than four decades ago.
The transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to China on July 1, 1997, made Hong Kong a special administrative region under which Hong Kong retained legal, administrative and economic systems inherited from Britain for 50 years until 2047.
Pruaitch acknowledged representation by the British High Commissioner to PNG Keith Scott, regarding United Kingdom’s “concern” that China’s national security law could be in breach of the United Nations’ registered Sino-British joint declaration of 1984.
“I am aware 27 countries opposed the law at the human rights council meeting because of concerns the laws could be repressive in nature and increase mainland China’s control over Hong Kong,” he said.