6 July 2020 | UK NEWS
The Chinese Ambassador has issued a warning to the UK to stop its “interference” in Chinese affairs regarding Hong Kong.
In an online press conference, Liu Xiaoming criticised the UK’s “gross interference” in China’s affairs by offering passage to the UK to millions of Hong Kong residents. He also attacked the UK media, suggesting they had distorted the purpose and effect of the Security Bill passed by the Chinese Government.
According to the UK Government, the Security Bill is an erosion of the semi-autonomous status of Hong Kong set out by the “one country, two systems” agreement. China, on the other hand, maintains that this Bill aims to ensure national security.
In relation to the UK’s offer of handing passage to Hong Kong residents, Liu Xiaoming said: “The UK side knows well that Hong Kong is no longer under its colonial rule and that Hong Kong has returned to China and is now part of China. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after handover.”
He added that the Government “keeps making irresponsible remarks” about Hong Kong, and aims “unwarranted accusations” against the national security law.
The offer to allow passage to Hong Kong residents, he said, “constitutes a gross interference in China’s internal affairs” and that it “openly tramples on the basic norms governing international relations”.
Commenting further on the issue, the Ambassador continued: “Our first response is we criticise the British move, we don’t think they’ve honoured their commitment. Secondly, we think it’s an interference into China’s internal affairs. I think this is a political manipulation against this national security law.”
He then appeared to make a thinly-veiled threat to the UK, adding: “We want to be your friend, we want to be your partner, but if you want to make China a hostile country, you have to bear the consequences.”
In his attack on the UK media, he said: “After the law was adopted British media carried massive reports and comments which, to be frank, are full of misinterpretation, misunderstanding and … distortion.
“So today I want to use this press conference to help the British public understand this law comprehensively, objectively and accurately.”
He claimed that the law was “an important milestone in the implementation of ‘one country, two systems’; it is a strong safeguard on the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents.”
A Government spokesman responded to the Ambassador’s comments, saying: “We would expect China to understand the importance of adhering to international law. We are currently assessing the national security law and its legal ramifications in terms of extradition with Hong Kong.
“There are already extensive extradition safeguards in the UK. The courts are required to bar a person’s extradition to any country if it would be incompatible with their human rights or if the request appears to be motivated by their political opinion.”
Downing Street has also urged China not to get involved in the extradition process.
