Don’t interfere in Hong Kong affairs, China tells Canada

Name: Roadblocks, heightened security as Chinese president visits Hong Kong for 25th handover anniversary
Uploaded: 2022-07-02T04:47:35.000Z
Duration: 4 min 35 s
Description: Roadblocks, heightened security as Chinese president visits Hong Kong for 25th handover anniversary

Chinese embassy says Ottawa’s attempts to ‘smear’ one country, two systems will not succeed

Warning follows Canadian foreign minister’s assessment that freedom of speech and peaceful expression of alternative views have been suppressed in the city

Reading Time:2 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Helicopters from the Government Flying Service take part in events to mark the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese sovereignty on Friday. Photo: Nora Tam

Teddy Ng

Published: 12:47pm, 2 Jul 2022Updated: 11:22am, 3 Jul 2022

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has urged Canada not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said the city’s freedom was being suppressed.

In a statement on Friday, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, the embassy said external forces should not make “irresponsible remarks”.

“The so-called deep ties between Canada and Hong Kong cannot be a reason for Canada to interfere in Hong Kong affairs,” it said.

“The Canadian side’s smearing of the successful application of ‘one country, two systems’ is futile, and it is impossible to intervene in Hong Kong affairs.”

The embassy said the efforts “will not shake China’s firm determination to fully and accurately implement one country, two systems and China’s safeguarding of national sovereignty.”

04:35

Roadblocks, heightened security as Chinese president visits Hong Kong for 25th handover anniversary

On Thursday, Joly said Canada had direct ties with Hong Kong, with an estimated 300,000 Canadians living in the city and more than 100 Canadian companies with a presence there.