China says US, Australia must not interfere in Hong Kong affairs

China has called on the United States and Australia to stop interfering in Hong Kong and China’s other internal affairs in any way as tensions continue to escalate between Beijing and the West over a range of issues.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily press briefing against the backdrop of a call by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the immediate release of a number of people in Hong Kong.

“We urge the US to respect the facts and the rule of law, stop interfering in Hong Kong and China's other internal affairs in any way. Will the US allow other countries to make irresponsible remarks about its normal domestic law enforcement?” the Chinese official said on Monday.

China is a country with the rule of law and Hong Kong is a place of law and order where nobody is above the law, Wang said.

“It is a legitimate law enforcement action for the Hong Kong police to arrest and prosecute people on suspicion of committing the offense of subversion under the law on security law in Hong Kong.”

“We firmly support the Hong Kong police in performing their duties in accordance with the law and maintain national security and the security and stability of Hong Kong. We firmly support the Hong Kong police to perform their duties in accordance with the law and maintain the national security of China and the security and stability of Hong Kong,” said Wang.

In recent weeks, the Hong Kong police have arrested dozens of people on suspicion of ‘subverting state power’ under the national security law.

The police said in a statement on Sunday that 47 residents faced one count each of ‘conspiracy to commit subversion.’

On Monday, the Australian government granted its first “refugee and humanitarian” visa to a Hong Kong passport holder.

Commenting on that, Wang urged Australia to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs.

“China's position on Hong Kong-related issues is consistent and clear. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to interfere in them. China urges Australia to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's other internal affairs in any way, to avoid further damaging China-Australia relations.”

In June 2019, unprecedented anti-government protests began in Hong Kong over a proposed extradition bill. It was shelved under pressure from demonstrations later on, but the turbulent protest movement continued into the next several months and became more violent, endangering the lives and property of citizens.

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The protesters have been demanding Hong Kong’s full secession since then. Beijing says the United States and Britain have been fanning the flames of unrest in the semi-autonomous hub by supporting the separatist protesters.

Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

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