US ambassador Terry Branstad expressed ‘grave concerns’ about Hong Kong after Chinese protest over human rights act
- Foreign ministry summoned envoy to lodge protest about American ‘meddling’ in China’s internal affairs
- Beijing has now issued three official complaints about Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which is currently awaiting Donald Trump’s signature
US ambassador to China Terry Branstad told Chinese foreign ministry officials that Washington is seriously concerned about Hong Kong’s status and rejects all forms of intimidation against the city, according to a US embassy spokesman in Beijing.
Branstad was summoned to the ministry on Monday by foreign vice-minister Zheng Zeguang who lodged a protest over what he called US “meddling” in Beijing’s internal affairs. This was in reference to the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which has just passed the US Congress.
Branstad told Zheng “we are watching the situation with great concern” and that the US “condemns all forms of violence and intimidation,” the spokesman said.
The ambassador also commented on Hong Kong’s district council elections, which produced a landslide win for pro-democracy candidates, and saw record participation by the city’s voters.
“The ambassador said the United States believes that societies are best served when diverse political views can be represented in genuinely free and fair elections,” the spokesman said.