Group of foreign ministers urged China to reconsider security bill for Hong Kong
Beijing, China:
China said on Thursday that it was “resolutely opposed” to the words of the G7 foreign ministers, urging it to reconsider its proposed national security law in Hong Kong.
The security law would prohibit subversion and other perceived crimes in the city, which experienced major pro-democracy protests last year, and Beijing says the new law is necessary to restore stability.
But critics see it as a potential coup de grace for Hong Kong’s freedoms and autonomy, and the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Wednesday urged China to reconsider the security bill.
In response, senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi said at a high-level meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Hawaii that Beijing’s “determination” to introduce the law was “steadfast,” according to a statement. on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“China resolutely opposes the words and actions of the American side which interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong and resolutely opposes the statement made by the G7 foreign ministers on Hong Kong-related matters”, said Yang, according to the statement.
As part of a “one country, two systems” agreement before the transfer from Britain, China agreed to let Hong Kong retain certain freedoms and autonomy until 2047 – including legislative and judicial independence.
G7 ministers called on China to “reconsider this decision” in a statement on Wednesday, saying they had “grave concerns” over the law threatening Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms.
Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States make up the G7.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
