Chinese FM calls on Britain not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs

SANAA, June 9 (YPA) – Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on Tuesday expressed to his British counterpart Dominic Rap that London will not interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs.

“Hong Kong is a purely domestic political affair of China, and is not subject to external interference,” Wang said, during a telephone conversation with his British counterpart, posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website.

The minister stressed that “Britain is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and should serve as an example in respecting the principles of international relations and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.”

Wang said, “Throughout its long history, China has not interfered in Britain’s internal affairs, and China hopes that Britain will respect the Chinese constitution and the legal right of China to protect the state security of its lands.”

He emphasized that “the Hong Kong National Security Defense Bill, is required to bring to justice people who threaten national security, from small extremist and terrorist supporters,” to justice.

“The law will better help ensure the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreigners to lead a more peaceful life in self-government,” he added.

This was reported in the United Kingdom, earlier, that the decision of the Chinese authorities to put a law on national security for Hong Kong inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration of Autonomy for the region signed by Britain and China.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said that London was ready to change visa rules for Hong Kong if China applied the Hong Kong National Security Law, noting that this law “would seriously limit freedom and seriously weaken autonomy for Hong Kong.”