China's newly passed law against foreign sanctions is a necessary and timely move to counter the hegemony and power politics of some Western countries as well as to safeguard China's sovereignty, dignity and core interests.
The legislation was adopted on Thursday by China's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the new law.
For some time, out of political manipulation needs and ideological bias, some Western countries have utilized Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong-related issues, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of their pretexts to spread rumors and smears, contain and suppress China.
These countries, in violation of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, have abused so-called sanctions on relevant Chinese state organs, organizations and functionaries in accordance with their domestic laws, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs.
The Chinese government has strongly opposed those groundless allegations and condemned such hegemonic acts and bullying tactics, and people from all walks of life have expressed strong indignation.
To pay them back in kind, the passage of the anti-foreign sanctions law is to counter their unilateral sanctions on China and fight long-arm jurisdiction and hegemony, to safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests as well as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens and organizations.
The formulation of the law is in line with international law and practices, the spirit of the UN resolutions, and the basic norms governing international relations.
The passage of the anti-foreign sanctions law, the first of its kind in China, indicates that China now has formal national legislation to provide legal backing and strong protection for its state organs and organizations to take countermeasures against punitive actions imposed by foreign countries on Chinese entities and individuals.
It will effectively improve China's legal capabilities in dealing with external risks and challenges and accelerate the formation of a comprehensive legal system involving foreign affairs.
The law only takes aim at those entities or individuals that grossly interfere in China's internal affairs and smear or suppress China, and will not affect the market entities and ordinary citizens who are running their business legally in the country.
China has always adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace and is committed to pursuing mutual benefits and common growth with other countries. China stands firm in deepening reform and expanding opening-up, but also firm in safeguarding its national sovereignty, dignity and core interests.
