China accuses G7 countries of ‘meddling’ in Hong Kong affairs
- Biarritz meeting ends with statement reaffirming importance of Sino-British Joint Declaration
- Chinese foreign affairs spokesman says no country has the right to intervene in the city
Beijing has condemned “irresponsible comments” by the G7 leaders, who made reference to Hong Kong in a joint statement at the end of their three-day meeting in southwestern France.
China also accused the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US of having “ulterior motives” and of meddling in Hong Kong affairs, after they expressed “deep concern” about the situation in the city.
The joint statement, issued after the meeting in Biarritz on Monday, said: “The G7 reaffirms the existence and the importance of the 1984 Sino-British agreement on Hong Kong and calls for avoiding violence.”
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, China’s foreign affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said Hong Kong was an internal matter for China and foreign nations had no right to interfere.
“We will handle our own affairs and we will ask the members of the G7 countries not to harbour evil intentions, mind other people’s business nor continue its sinister plot,” Geng said.
“Regarding the Sino-British Joint Declaration, I would like to stress once again that the ultimate purpose and core content of the joint declaration is to confirm that China will resume its sovereignty over Hong Kong.