Foreign Ministry In HK Hits Back At G7 Criticism

The office of the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong on Saturday hit back at the G7 statement on the SAR's electoral overhaul, which it said was the work of "very few Western countries".

The Group of Seven nations, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, have said the National People's Congress (NPC) decision to change Hong Kong's election systems shows that China is determined to eliminate dissenting voices and opinions in Hong Kong.

They called on the authorities to stop oppressing people who promote democratic values.

The Foreign Ministry's Hong Kong office said the remarks were unwarranted and made under the pretext of democracy and freedom, warning that any interference into Hong Kong's affairs is "doomed to be futile."

"The key issue is not whether democracy and freedoms should be upheld, but about a battle against those trying to grab power and commit subversion and infiltration," a spokesman said in a statement.

"Their latest statements and reports distorted the truth and applied double standards in a bid to endorse anti-China troublemakers in Hong Kong. But it only lays bare their ulterior motive to wish Hong Kong ill and use Hong Kong as a pawn to hold back China's development at large."

The spokesman claimed the community had voiced "broad support" for the NPC decision, demonstrating that the electoral changes represent the people's will and an unstoppable historical trend.

Beijing has proposed giving new powers to the election committee so it will not only select the SAR's chief executive, but nominate and pick lawmakers as well. The legislature will be expanded from 70 members to 90, and "a large share" of it will be selected by the election committee.

The British Foreign Secretary, Dominc Raab, on Saturday evening renewed criticism of Beijing, saying it was now in "ongoing non-compliance" with the Joint Declaration on the SAR's future.

In a statement, Raab said “Beijing’s decision to impose radical changes to restrict participation in Hong Kong’s electoral system constitutes a further clear breach of the legally binding joint declaration”.

He called it part of a pattern designed to harass and stifle all voices critical of China’s policies, adding “the UK will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong”.

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