BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's provision in its Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law holding organizations and individuals outside the country legally accountable for engaging in ethnic separatism is justified, lawful and necessary, a Chinese justice official said Wednesday.

File photo: CFP

Vice Minister of Justice Hu Weilie made the remarks at a news briefing held to introduce the law, where he refuted Western media claims that Article 63 of the law involves "long-arm jurisdiction" or "extraterritoriality."

Hu said the provision complies with legal principles, basic norms of international law and common practice worldwide.

"We also firmly oppose all acts of smearing, suppression, infiltration and sabotage targeting China under the guise of ethnic, religious, human rights, or other issues," Hu said.

The provision stipulates that overseas organizations and individuals undermining China's ethnic solidarity or engaging in ethnic separatism targeting the country will be held legally accountable.

The law was passed during this year's annual legislative session in March and will take effect from July.

All countries are entitled to enact domestic laws countering separatist and destructive conduct, as protecting national unity, territorial integrity and social stability falls within every country's sovereign rights, Hu said.

Beyond penalizing relevant illegal conduct, the article also creates safeguards for exchanges and shared prosperity among different ethnic groups, the vice minister emphasized.

He added the rule's enforcement will be carried out strictly in accordance with law and in a prudent and rule-based manner without prejudice to normal cross-border people-to-people exchanges, and other academic, trade and investment activities.