China has issued a forceful rebuke to the European Union over its recent human rights commentary, calling it an unacceptable breach of sovereignty. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declared on Thursday that the EU's December 10 statement contained "malicious slander and shameless lies" about China's human rights record.
The remarks came during a regular press briefing in response to the EU Delegation to China's International Human Rights Day declaration. Guo emphasized that matters concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong are strictly internal affairs, stating: "Historic achievements in human rights protection and socialist rule of law are evident to all objective observers."
While acknowledging ongoing human rights challenges within the EU itself – including racial discrimination and refugee rights issues – the spokesperson stressed China's commitment to legal equality. "Our Constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms, but rights cannot excuse lawbreaking," Guo noted, referencing China's judicial sovereignty.
The Foreign Ministry official criticized what it called the EU's "megaphone diplomacy," urging Brussels to abandon "hypocritical double standards" and cease using human rights as a political tool. China has formally protested the statement through diplomatic channels.
