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China won’t ‘back down’ on issues of sovereignty, development, Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong tells lawmakers during unprecedented meeting
- One-hour closed-door seminar marks first time Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has formally addressed city’s lawmakers
- Liu Guangyuan also accuses US of attacking China’s economy and adopting ‘zero-sum’ approach to diplomatic ties
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China will not back down when it comes to safeguarding sovereign integrity and development opportunities, although it wishes to pursue a stable Sino-US relationship, Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has told lawmakers at an unprecedented closed-door meeting.
Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the foreign ministry’s arm in the city, on Thursday also accused the United States of attacking China’s economy and adopting a “zero-sum” approach to dealing with diplomatic relations, according to lawmakers who attended Thursday’s meeting.
Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen initiated the one-hour seminar – an event which marked the first time Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong had formally addressed lawmakers.
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Aside from the country’s relations with the US, Liu also spoke about the current situation with Russia and India, lawmakers said.
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Liu said Beijing hoped to maintain a “cordial and stable” relationship with the United States, but when it came to important matters including internal affairs, as well as sovereignty and territorial integrity, China would not “back down”.
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