China draws up list of 100 instances of U.S. “interference” in Hong Kong!

Beijing: China on Friday listed greater than 100 instances of what it mentioned was U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs, together with President Joe Biden’s present of assist for a pro-democracy newspaper.

U.S. politicians and officers have denounced China over its tightening management of the previous British colony of Hong Kong, particularly the imposition of a sweeping nationwide safety regulation final yr cracking down on dissent.

“The United States must not tolerate any force that is anti-China and stirs troubles in Hong Kong, or else it will only be lifting a stone to hit one’s foot,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian informed an everyday press briefing on Friday.

The ministry posted a list on its web site which detailed instances of U.S. interference since 2019, together with the signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump.

Trump ordered an finish to Hong Kong’s particular standing beneath U.S. regulation to punish China for what he known as “oppressive actions” towards the monetary hub, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with a assure of continued freedoms.

China criticised Biden for calling the closure of the Apple Daily newspaper “a sad day for media freedom” and an indication of “intensified repression by Beijing”.

The Apple Daily, a well-liked pro-democracy tabloid based by tycoon Jimmy Lai, who’s in jail and awaiting trial on nationwide safety expenses, was compelled to fold following a raid by 500 police on its headquarters in June 17 and the freezing of key property and financial institution accounts.

Authorities say dozens of the paper’s articles might have violated the nationwide safety regulation which critics say has been used to stifle free speech and erode different elementary freedoms assured in the territory’s “Basic Law” mini-constitution.

Chinese and Hong Kong officers deny the cost and say the regulation has returned order to Hong Kong which was hit by months of generally violent pro-democracy, anti-China protests in 2019.

Other U.S. officers named on China’s list embody House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his successor, Anthony Blinken.

The international ministry didn’t clarify why the list was launched now or whether or not it might take punitive motion towards these named on the list.

China handed an anti-foreign sanctions regulation in June beneath which these concerned in making or implementing discriminatory measures towards Chinese residents or entities might be placed on a mainland anti-sanctions list.

Such people may then be denied entry into China or be expelled. Their property in China could also be seized or frozen.

Biden final month supplied short-term “safe haven” to Hong Kong residents in the United States, permitting what might be 1000’s of individuals to increase their keep in response to Beijing’s “assault” on Hong Kong’s autonomy. learn extra
Reporting by Yew Lun Tian; Editing by Nick Macfie