Beijing Slams West's 'groundless Slanders' On HK

The Chinese Embassy in London on Sunday rejected as "groundless slanders" western criticism of Beijing's sweeping electoral reforms for Hong Kong, including Britain's claim that China is now in "ongoing non-compliance" with the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

An embassy spokesperson also hit out at statements by the Group of Seven nations and the European Union over the reforms approved by the National People's Congress last week, which will see a new body set up to vet candidates in the SAR's elections.

"This decision was made by China's highest organ of state power," the spokesperson said, adding that it was in line with the national constitution and the Basic Law and was needed to "uphold and improve" the One Country, Two Systems principle.

In comments carried by the Xinhua news agency, the spokesperson said the Joint Declaration was a "non-issue" as its "historical mission" was completed with the 1997 handover.

"The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of 'supervision' over Hong Kong after the handover, and it has no so-called 'obligations' to Hong Kong citizens," the spokesman added.

"No foreign country or organisation has the right to take the Joint Declaration as an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs."

"How to design and improve its electoral system is purely China's internal affair and brooks no external interference," the spokesperson said.

In a statement on Friday, the G7 foreign ministers accused Beijing of "oppression" and attempting to "eliminate dissenting voices and opinions" in Hong Kong. The EU said in a report that Hong Kong had seen "alarming political deterioration".

In a statement on Saturday, Britain's foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the electoral reforms were Beijing's third breach of the "legally binding" Joint Declaration in less than nine months.

Raab said this was "a demonstration of the growing gulf between Beijing’s promises and its actions".

"China has the will, determination and capability to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests," the embassy spokesperson added.

"We urge the relevant countries and groups, including the UK, to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs."