Chinas ambassador to the United Kingdom urged Britain to stay out of Chinese affairs and slammed the governments rhetorical support for recent protests in Hong Kong that escalated into violent clashes with police.
Britain was on the “wrong side” of the issue, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming said on Wednesday, insisting that Hong Kong be left to manage its own affairs, including the fate of a controversial extradition bill that was recently suspended in parliament.
“I tell [British officials]: hands off Hong Kong and show respect,” Liu told reporters in English.
"This colonial mindset is still haunting the minds of some officials or politicians” who “regard Hong Kong as still under British rule.
Asked about former UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnsons rhetorical support for the protesters, Liu stressed that non-interference is a key principle of Chinese-British relations.
“As long as these principles are violated, there will be a problem in the relationship,” Liu said.
Johnson is the frontrunner in the Conservative Party contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May, set to conclude later this month.
The British government has requested a meeting with Liu after his remarks, which the Foreign Office deemed “unacceptable,” Reuters reports.
Also on rt.com Hong Kong protesters occupy parliament building, spray graffiti (PHOTOS)
Demonstrations to mark the anniversary of Hong Kongs handover from British to Chinese rule turned violent on Monday when a group of protesters stormed and briefly occupied the citys parliament chamber. Thirteen have been arrested for participationRead More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]
RT
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
