The 29th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a new law on anti-foreign sanctions on Thursday.   

The Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee has explained the background and purpose of the law, the major considerations during the drafting process, and the main systems and mechanisms established by this law.   

According to the commission, in recent years, some western countries and organizations violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations, impose so-called "sanctions" on some Chinese state organs, organizations and government employees in accordance with their own laws, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs. 

The commission pointed out that the so-called "sanctions" imposed on China by some Western countries and organizations under the guise of upholding democracy and human rights are illegal and unreasonable. Non-interference in internal affairs is a basic principle in contemporary international relations and the rule of law. The United Nations has clearly stated that no State or group of States has the right to interfere directly or indirectly in the internal or foreign affairs of any other State for any reason whatsoever. Every State has the inalienable right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural systems, free from any form of interference by any other State. 

China has always opposed any interference in China's internal affairs by any country or foreign forces in any form or the imposition of one's will on others. China is not what it was more than one hundred years ago, and the Chinese people are not to be bullied. In order to resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, dignity and core interests and oppose Western hegemonism and power politics, the Chinese government has recently announced on many occasions that it will take corresponding countermeasures against individuals and entities of relevant countries.   

The commission has also revealed details of the law, including basic foreign policies and principled positions, the circumstances under which countermeasures are taken and the targets to which countermeasures are applicable, the working mechanism of countermeasures and obligations of relevant organizations and individuals.