Beijing says Hong Kong citizens would be ‘saddened’ by foreign countries’ decisions to upgrade city’s security status following clashes
- Japan and South Korea issue updated travel warnings following mob attacks in Yuen Long while Ireland maintains ‘high degree of caution’ alert
- Beijing accuses Washington of being behind unrest in Hong Kong, a charge US consulate in the city dismisses as ‘ridiculous’
A spokeswoman for Beijing’s foreign ministry has said that Hong Kong people would be saddened by the recent decisions by foreign countries to issue travel warnings to their citizens for the city, amid recent clashes between protesters, local gangs and police.
Hua Chunying also urged Hongkongers “who have a sense of justice” to safeguard the city’s public order.
“Those who really love Hong Kong should unite to defend Hong Kong’s security and order. Let Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, shine once again – I think this is the wish of everyone who loves Hong Kong,” she said.
Hua was speaking hours after the Civil Human Rights Front called on foreign consulates in Hong Kong to issue a travel alert for the city in light of the violent attacks in Yuen Long on July 21, and to press the Hong Kong government to protect foreign nationals living there.
After the Yuen Long clashes, Japan and South Korea’s consulates in Hong Kong have issued travel warnings or alerts on Tuesday, with the former warning of indiscriminate attacks in various communities in the New Territories. Other countries, including the United States and Britain, had previously issued such warnings.
Since last month, protesters have launched waves of demonstrations, urging the government to withdraw the now-suspended extradition bill, which would allow the transfer of fugitives to jurisdictions with which Hong Kong lacks an extradition deal, including mainland China.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which has for some time been advising its citizens to maintain a “high degree of caution” in Hong Kong and Macau, kept the same level of advice as it updated it travel warning webpage last week.
Opinion: How Beijing can allay Hong Kong’s worst fears
“While the protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, isolated clashes between a small minority of protesters and police have taken place, which saw the deployment of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets by police in an effort to restore order,” it read.
In Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua was asked to comment on Ireland’s warnings.
“I don’t know what you think as a Hong Kong reporter. I think Hong Kong people who really love the city would definitely feel sad about this,” she said.
Black and white: Hong Kong town haunted by colours of protesters and gangs
Hua also said the central authorities were highly concerned about events in Hong Kong.
“We oppose all violent illegal acts. We resolutely support the city’s government and police in Hong Kong in following up in accordance with the law, and safeguarding the rule of law and social order in Hong Kong,” she added.
Hua on Tuesday also questioned if the US had been behind the violence in Hong Kong, when she was asked to comment on the US State Department spokesman’s call for the Hong Kong government to respect the freedoms of speech and assembly.
Chinese army can be deployed by Hong Kong to contain protests, Beijing says
“We urge the US to retract their black hand behind Hong Kong as soon as possible,” Hua said.
A spokesman for the US consulate general in Hong Kong countered that Hua’s statement was “ridiculous”.
“The ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong reflect the sentiment of the people of Hong Kong and their broad concerns about the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy,” the spokesman added.
