China summons US envoy in protest over Washington’s condemnation of Hong Kong extradition bill
- Chinese vice foreign minister says Beijing will not accept meddling by foreign forces in Hong Kong’s affairs
- It is in the interest of the United States that Hong Kong continue to be prosperous and stable, foreign ministry says
China summoned a US envoy in Beijing on Friday to protest against Washington’s condemnation of Hong Kong’s controversial extradition bill.
Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng urgently summoned Robert Forden, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Beijing, for the protest, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
Le said China did not accept foreign forces meddling in Hong Kong affairs.
“China called on the United States ... to immediately stop all interference in Hong Kong’s affairs and stop taking action that would affect the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,” the statement said. “China will proceed with its next step based on the action taken by the US.”
In September, Branstad and the US embassy’s defence attache were summoned over Washington’s decision to sanction a Chinese military agency and its director for buying Russian fighter jets and an advanced surface-to-air missile system.