China’s ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Sunday said that the central government has the ultimate responsibility for upholding national security in Hong Kong, and that a proposed legislation for the city “will protect law-abiding citizens”.
“Hong Kong was a romantic fusion of the East and the West. To our regret, such romance is evaporating,” the envoy said adding that the violent actions of protesters against police, citizens and property there had crossed “a red line” for Beijing.
“Hong Kong is in disarray. China’s national security is at risk. That is why the central government has chosen to act,” he said.
Separately, a newspaper in China wrote that the plans outlined by US President Donald Trump at the White House were a “gross interference” in Beijing’s affairs and were “doomed to fail”.
In a second commentary, the newspaper accused the US and Western politicians of “double standards” and “shameless hegemony” for their criticism of the legislation.
It said China would be firm in responding to any US moves, without specifying what actions Beijing might take, and that the proposed legislation is a rightful move to defend China’s sovereignty and compatible with international practice.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s government on Saturday said that actions threatened by US President Donald Trump are “unjustified” and that China is within its “legitimate rights” to pursue new national security laws that Beijing says will help quell months of social unrest in the semi-autonomous city.
Hong Kong has been roiled by protests since last year as demonstrators sought full democracy and police accountability, demands which remain unmet.
The US’ plans as a result of Beijing’s crackdown on the island would include stripping Hong Kong of some of its privileged trade status, and come as tensions simmer between the world’s two biggest economies over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and how the Trump administration characterizes China’s role in its spread.
Meanwhile, officials from Hong Kong, in a 949-word statement said that they’re “not unduly worried” about the sanctions and trade restrictions proposed by the US President.
“Hong Kong will continue to rely on rule of law, judicial independence, and a free and open trade policy,” the statement said.
Officials defended the actions of China’s legislature, which this week approved a plan to draft legislation that China has called essential to national security, and which Hong Kong democracy advocates have said will curb freedom of speech and undermine an independent judiciary.
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