Ambassador: China urges UK to immediately stop meddling in HK affairs

APD NEWS

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The question of the qualification of Legislative Council (LegCo) members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is China's internal affairs, said Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming on Friday, adding that the Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, are firmly opposed to any words or actions of foreign countries or external forces that interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

Liu made the remarks during his meeting with Philip Barton, permanent under-secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK.

It came two days after Chinese lawmakers on Wednesday voted to adopt a decision that would immediately disqualify Hong Kong's Legislative Council members who endanger national security, support "Hong Kong independence," or seek foreign meddling in Hong Kong affairs if approved by the Hong Kong SAR government.

China's top legislature adopts decision on HKSAR LegCo members' qualification.

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Liu pointed out that in recent days high-level officials of the FCDO have made an unwarranted accusation against the decision. The Chinese side urges the UK side to immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and stop interfering in China's internal affairs so as to avoid going down the wrong path, he said.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), as the highest organ of state power in China, has the right to rule on any constitutional issues in the implementation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and the National Security Law for the Hong Kong SAR, Liu explained.

Certain Legislative Council members, including Dennis Kwok, have gone against their oath, breached rules, and defied the law, the ambassador said, adding their actions have disrupted the operation of the Legislative Council and obstructed normal operation of Hong Kong's political system and administration.

Liu has also slammed the joint resignation of 15 "opposition members" of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong as "political farce," saying their attempts will never succeed.

Hong Kong-related issues bear on China's core interests, the ambassador stressed, saying China will remain unwavering in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.