Hong Kong: China Calls on UK to "End Interference Immediately"

China on Wednesday calls on the United Kingdom to "immediately cease all interference" in Hong Kong affairs. This request comes after the call from London, the British capital, not to impose a controversial national security law in the autonomous territory.

This legislative project comes in reaction to the monster demonstrations against the influence of Beijing, the Chinese capital, which shook Hong Kong in 2019. They have given rise to violence and have reinforced a marginal pro-independence movement so far.

The bill, which has received the green light from the Chinese parliament, but which has not been finalized, plans to punish separatist, "terrorist" activities, subversion, or even foreign interference in the territory.

China denounces "colonial state of mind"

The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada have publicly expressed their concerns. And British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab on Tuesday urged Beijing to drop the law. "There is still time for China to reflect, move away from the precipice and respect Hong Kong's autonomy and its own obligations as well as its international obligations," he said.

"We advise the British side [...] to immediately cease all interference in Hong Kong affairs and the internal affairs of China," replied Zhao Lijian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. "Otherwise, she will do nothing but shoot herself in the foot," he said, adding that Beijing officially protested to London. "We advise the British side [...] to abandon its Cold War mentality (note: a period of tension, over several decades, without direct conflict, between the United States and the USSR) , its state of mind colonial, to recognize and respect the fact that Hongkong was returned ”.

"Deep ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong"

Under the concept of “One country, two systems”, the former British colony has benefited from its autonomy in 1997, freedom of expression and independent justice since it was handed over to China in 1997. The Hong Kong pro-democracy opposition, like London, are standing up against the bill, which they say is undermining the freedoms of the territory.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday he would offer millions of Hong Kong citizens passports and possible access to British citizenship if Beijing implements the controversial law. "Britain is not trying to hinder the rise of China" on the international scene, he said. "Britain only wants Hong Kong to prosper in one country, two systems."

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About 350,000 people in Hong Kong hold the "British Overseas Passport", which provides visa-free access to Britain for stays of up to six months. 2.5 million others would be eligible. Boris Johnson said that "if China imposes its national security law, the British government will change its immigration laws and allow any holder of these passports residing in Hong Kong to come to the United Kingdom for a renewable period of 12 months and obtain other rights, including the right to work, which would put them on the path to citizenship. ” "Britain would have no choice but to maintain its deep ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong. "