Beijing slams Washington over Hong Kong move

Published February 27, 2021
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin addresses a press briefing. — Photo courtesy China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website/File
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin addresses a press briefing. — Photo courtesy China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website/File

Beijing on Friday urged Washington to cease further action on a resolution that opposes the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and demanded the United States stop using Hong Kong-related issues to interfere in China's domestic affairs.

The nonbinding Hong Kong resolution passed by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs condemned the central government and the government of the Hong Kong SAR for "violating rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong". The resolution also encouraged the administration of US President Joe Biden to work with other countries to "hold the Chinese government accountable".

Hong Kong is a part of China, and its affairs are China's internal affairs that allow no interference from foreign countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a daily news conference.

"We urge the US to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations, abandon double standards and earnestly respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong," Wang said.

He said that nearly 3 million Hong Kong residents signed a petition in May in support of the National Security Law, while about 70 percent of its residents believe that the city enjoys more safety and greater stability since the law was implemented.

"This is a testament to the popularity of the law," he said, adding that the criticism by the US House of Representatives goes against facts and disregards the aspirations of the Hong Kong people.

The spokesman pointed out that the US has dozens of pieces of legislation concerning its own national security, yet it practices double standards in opposing the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which exposes its hypocrisy.

Since the law was implemented, stability replaced chaos and people from Hong Kong are free from the threat of violence and turbulence and can better exercise their rights and enjoy full freedom in a safer environment, Wang said.


This article originally appeared on China Daily and has been reproduced with permission.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

OVER the last few weeks, there have been several exchanges involving top officials and their Saudi counterparts. At...
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...
Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.