Britain’s Plans to Disrupt Hong Kong ‘Doomed to Fail’, China Says

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored “good” societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported “anti China” chaos.

The comments came after Britain published its six monthly report on the Chinese controlled hub, from Jan 1 to June 30, which stated that authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law “beyond genuine national security concerns”.
Beijing imposed the sweeping law in 2020 after sometimes violent anti-government protests rocked the city in 2019.
While some Western governments have criticized the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability.
Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had “universal success” in implementing the practice of ‘one country, two systems’, China’s foreign ministry said.
“In recent years the number of people in the UK living in poverty has been increasing...crime rates have hit record highs. What confidence does it have to criticize Hong Kong’s democracy and human rights situation?” the ministry said.
“Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail.”
The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’ while media tycoon Jimmy Lai’s national security trial has been further delayed.
“The UK will always defend universal human rights, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and we will stand up for those who are targeted,” it said.
Hong Kong police have also issued arrest warrants and bounties against individuals in the UK and elsewhere, it said adding that Britain would not tolerate attempts to intimidate and silence people in its country.