Vice-minister loses temper as Democrat legislator smiles through confrontation
Beijing has stepped up its personal attacks on Democratic Party legislator Martin Lee Chu-ming, calling him a traitor and, for the first time, criticising his father.
'What sort of people [are the family of] Lee Chu-ming? Since his father, [they] have opposed the Communist Party. Go away! Go away! Go away!' Vice-Minister of Commerce An Min said angrily yesterday, pushing aside reporters in Beijing when asked to comment on Mr Lee's trip to Washington, where he briefed US senators on Hong Kong's call for full democracy.
'Any normal person knows that's not good for Hong Kong. How can one who betrays the country be good for Hong Kong? Everything he says is false,' Mr An said on his way to meet Hong Kong delegates to the National People's Congress.
When asked why he thought Mr Lee was a liar, Mr An said: 'Can't you tell what is false? You need to do some learning.'
When confronted by reporters again when he re-emerged from the meeting, Mr An said: 'To go to foreigners for Chinese affairs, isn't that betraying the country? This is a very simple theory.'
When asked why he mentioned Mr Lee's father, Mr An pushed past reporters and tried to fend off microphones with his arms. 'Who said I have resorted to abuse? I have not criticised his father. I only stated a historical fact,' he said.