(UTV|COLOMBO) – China has warned the UK not to “interfere in its domestic affairs” amid a growing diplomatic row over the recent protests in Hong Kong.
Its UK ambassador said relations had been “damaged” by comments by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and others backing the demonstrators’ actions.
Liu Xiaoming said those who illegally occupied Hong Kong’s parliament should be “condemned as law breakers”.
The ambassador was later summoned to the Foreign Office over the remarks.
A Foreign Office spokesman said Sir Simon McDonald, permanent under secretary and head of the diplomatic service, told the ambassador his comments were “unacceptable and inaccurate”.
Earlier, Prime Minister Theresa May said she had raised concerns with Chinese leaders.
‘Unwavering’ support
Weeks of mass protests in the territory over a controversial extradition bill exploded on Monday, when a group of activists occupied the Legislative Council building for several hours after breaking away from a peaceful protest – raising the colonial-era British flag.
Critics say the extradition bill could be used to send political dissidents from Hong Kong to the mainland.
Demonstrators have also broadened their demands to include the release of all detained activists and investigations into alleged police violence.
In the middle of the demonstrations, Mr Hunt pledged his “unwavering” support to the ex-British colony and its citizens’ freedoms.
Message to Chinese govt: good relations between countries are based on mutual respect and honouring the legally binding agreements between them. That is the best way to preserve the great relationship between the UK and China
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 3, 2019
The Joint Declaration, signed by Margaret Thatcher and the then Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang, set out how the rights of Hong Kong citizens should be protected in the territory’s Basic Law under Chinese rule.
Hong Kong has, since 1997, been run by China under a “one country, two systems” arrangement guaranteeing it a level of economic autonomy and personal freedoms not permitted on the mainland.
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