China demands the US side conduct a fair investigation in accordance with the law and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese national arrested in Florida, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday.
According to media reports, a Chinese national was arrested last Thursday for allegedly trespassing on a restricted area at a US Navy installation in Key West, Florida to take photos.
Building of Chinese Foreign Ministry (File photo: VCG)
Geng Shuang, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, spoke at a daily press conference that the Chinese embassies and consulates in the US received a report on the issue from the US side on December 26, and then the consulate-general of China in Houston got in touch with the Chinese national involved.
“As the New Year’s Day and Chinese Spring Festival are approaching, we once again remind overseas Chinese citizens to obey laws in foreign countries and improve awareness of self-defense,” Geng said, adding that overseas Chinese nationals must not linger near or take photos at restricted areas of military bases and other sensitive areas and must strictly follow the signs and regulations.
Geng said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to defending the safety and legal rights of overseas Chinese citizens, and has always required Chinese nationals to abide by local laws and regulations and not engage in any form of illegal activities.
Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will continue to carry out responsibilities within their mandate and provide consular assistance when necessary to overseas Chinese citizens, Geng said.
