FM commissioner blasts UK’s interference with report on HK affairs|Hong Kong|chinadaily.com.cn

The United Kingdom’s latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong has been strongly condemned by Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Commissioner’s Office in the SAR.

In a statement made hours after the release of the document on Thursday, the commissioner’s office reiterated that matters in Hong Kong were solely China’s internal affairs – and no business of the UK.

A spokesperson for the Commissioner’s Office expressed strong disapproval of and firm opposition to the UK’s constant interference in Hong Kong affairs through such reports.

The policy of “one country, two systems” has been fully implemented since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland in 1997, which is a fact that anyone who was not politically biased would acknowledge, the spokesperson stressed.

The report, made by the UK Foreign Secretary to Parliament, failed to distinguish between law enforcement efforts and crimes committed by violent extremists, and endorsed the opposition and radical protesters, as it claimed the Hong Kong police force deployed increasingly aggressive tactics including frequent use of tear gas and rubber bullets, the spokesperson said.

In response to the UK’s repeated citing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in the report, the spokesperson said the UK had no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of “supervision” over and no obligation to Hong Kong since July 1, 1997 – when all rights and obligations under the declaration were fulfilled.

“We urge the relevant British politicians to rid themselves of the outdated colonialist mindset, respect China’s sovereignty, abide by basic norms governing international relations,” the spokesperson added.

The report also drew condemnation from the HKSAR government, which in a statement reiterated that foreign countries should not meddle in any shape or form in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Noting the document called for police response to be proportionate when handling protesters, the spokesman said the police had been exercising restraint and carrying out enforcement actions in strict accordance with the law to bring offenders to justice and restore public order.

The HKSAR government also launched diverse platforms for dialogue. It will invite community leaders, experts and academics to conduct an in-depth and independent examination of the social conflicts and deep-seated problems that must be addressed in the city, the spokesman added.

jefferygu@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 11/01/2019 page4)