- Title: Chinese ambassador accuses UK of "gross interference" over Hong Kong
- Date: 6th July 2020
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JUNE 30, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRO BEIJING SUPPORTERS HOLDING HONG KONG AND CHINESE FLAGS ARRIVING AT TAMAR PARK IN FRONT OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS PRO BEIJING SUPPORTERS CHANTING (Cantonese): ''CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY LAW AND THE RETURN OF HONG KONG'' VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OPENING CHAMPAGNE, CHEERING AND DRINKING HONG KONG, CHINA (JULY 1, 2020) (REUTERS) POLICE FIRING WATER CANNON AT PEOPLE PROTESTING AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY LAW POLICE OFFICERS RUNNING POLICE DETAINING MAN VARIOUS OF RIOT POLICE HOLDING RIFLES RUNNING AMONGST TEAR GAS POLICE LEADING MAN AWAY ANTI-BEIJING PROTESTERS WALKING, RAISING HANDS AND CHANTING
- Embargoed: 20th July 2020 12:59
- Keywords: China Hong Kong Hong Kong protests Hong Kong security law UK protests security law
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / BEIJING AND HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / BEIJING AND HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003CLO79L3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China's ambassador to London accused Britain on Monday (July 6) of gross interference and of making irresponsible remarks since Beijing introduced new security legislation in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Britain has said that China's imposition of a security law on Hong Kong was a "clear and serious" violation of the 1984 Joint Declaration and that London would offer around 3 million residents of the former colony a path to British citizenship.
"The UK government keeps making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs," ambassador Liu Xiaoming told reporters in an online media conference, saying it had made unwarranted accusations about the security law.
On Britain's offer to give British National Overseas (BNO) passport-holders in Hong Kong a path to British citizenship, he said: "This move constitutes gross interference in China's internal affairs."
Although Prime Minister Boris Johnson describes himself as a "Sinophile", he has also spoken of the need to "stick up for our friends in Hong Kong", straining relations with Beijing.
Critics of the law have slammed the lack of transparency around it ahead of its publication and the speed at which it was pushed through. Beijing unveiled details of the legislation late on June 30 and the law came into effect the following day, sparking protests.
The new law punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. It will also see mainland security agencies in Hong Kong for the first time and allows extradition to the mainland for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
Hong Kong's government has repeatedly said the security law won't affect freedom of speech and other rights in the city.
(Production: Louisa Naks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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