NPC passes law countering foreign sanctions

China's top legislature passed a law on countering foreign sanctions on Thursday to better safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.

President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to promulgate the law, which takes effect immediately.

After a second deliberation, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, adopted the law on countering foreign sanctions when it concluded its session.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting and said the law is an important step in implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and accelerating legislation involving foreign affairs.

"China has always adhered to an independent foreign policy of peace and is committed to pursuing mutual benefits and common growth with other countries," Li said. "But we never give up our legitimate rights and interests. No one should expect China to accept any action that damages its own interests.

"The Chinese government and people resolutely oppose any sanctions and interference," he added.

The top legislature followed international practice to make and review the law, he said, noting that the law provides legal support not only to counter hegemony and power politics, but also to protect the interests of the country and people.

While emphasizing that the law should be fully and accurately understood and needed to be promptly applied to fight sanctions, he also called for the acceleration of legislation relating to foreign affairs in order to better safeguard China's sovereignty and security, as well as its development interests.

According to the 16-article law, relevant departments of the State Council can decide to put foreign individuals or organizations on a sanctions list if they find them to have violated international law and basic norms of international relations, used various excuses or their own laws to contain or suppress China, taken discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese citizens or organizations, or interfered in China's internal affairs.

The countermeasures for those on the list include denial of visa issuance, denial of entry into China, cancellation of a visa or expulsion from the country, the law said.

Li Qingming, an associate professor at the Institute of International Law of the China Academy of Social Sciences, said that the law was a major step forward in strengthening the rule of law in legislation concerning foreign affairs, saying that it provides a stronger legal basis for China in fighting the discriminatory measures of foreign nations.

"The law is not aimed at any country. Instead, it challenges those who interfere in China's internal affairs or spread rumors about and smear China," he said.

Huo Zhengxin, a law professor from the School of International Law at China University of Political Science and Law, said: "When we fought against foreign sanctions in the past, this was mainly with administrative or economic measures, but now we have legal support against such behavior."

Huo said that the legislation is timely and essential for China in the face of external challenges.

For example, Russia has a similar law to counter the unfriendly behavior of foreign countries in order to protect its own interests, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Huo.

Meanwhile, the law implements a major task set out in the NPC Standing Committee's annual work report released in March, which was to upgrade the legal tool kit for meeting challenges and guarding against risks in order to oppose foreign sanctions, interference and long-arm jurisdiction, he said.

Both the legal experts said foreign investors have no need to worry about the Chinese business environment after the law was adopted.

"The target of the legislation has never been those coming to invest and develop in proper ways," said Li Qingming. "Investors will not be affected, as China will continue promoting a market-oriented, sound, international and legal business environment."

Huo said China's determination in opening-up, the path of peaceful development and its will to embrace economic globalization will not change and China will also give stronger legal support to investors.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn