In September 1984, the same month Britain and China initialled the Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong, the Chinese foreign minister Wu Xueqian addressed the United Nations to explain Beijing's policies towards the then British colony, to seek international support for its unique formula of 'one country, two systems'.
Wu explained that, aside from foreign affairs and defence, Hong Kong would enjoy a high degree of autonomy for 50 years after July 1, 1997.
George Shultz, then the US secretary of state, welcomed the agreement and pledged American co-operation. Support for the accord also came from the European Community as well as other states, including Japan, Pakistan, Singapore and Thailand.
By asking for international support, China implicitly opened the door to international monitoring. But now, it seems, the Chinese foreign ministry believes it no longer needs that support.
The foreign ministry office in Hong Kong recently denounced the US consulate here for 'meddling' and 'interference' by talking to officials and private citizens, calling this a contravention of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. However, the convention says consular functions include 'ascertaining by all lawful means conditions and developments in the commercial, economic, cultural and scientific life of the receiving state, reporting thereon to the government of the sending state and giving information to persons interested'.
Speaking to officials and others is certainly a lawful means to ascertain conditions in Hong Kong. In fact, gathering information is what all diplomats do, including Chinese diplomats stationed abroad.