China has hit back aggressively at the latest criticism of its Hong Kong policy from the UK and its allies.
China has hit back aggressively at the latest criticism of its Hong Kong policy from the UK and its allies. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian responded to a statement on Hong Kong issued by the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – also known as the Five Eyes alliance – which expressed “serious concern” after Beijing ordered the expulsion of four opposition MPs from the Hong Kong parliament. Mr Zhao said: “No matter if they have five eyes or 10 eyes, if they dare to harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, they should beware of their eyes being poked and blinded.” The foreign ministers of the five nations said that a new Chinese government resolution that led to the MPs’ disqualification appears to be “part of a concerted campaign to silence all critical voices”. The statement said: “China’s action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration. It breaches both China’s commitment that Hong Kong will enjoy a ‘high degree of autonomy’, and the right to freedom of speech.
