HK Govt Opposes Germany's Granting Of Refugee Status

The Hong Kong government has expressed strong opposition to Germany's granting of refugee status to a Hong Kong activist facing a riot charge over last year's anti-government protests, saying foreign governments should stop interfering in the SAR's affairs.

In a statement, a government spokesman said Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung and the Secretary for Security John Lee met the Consul General of Germany, Dieter Lamlé, over the matter on Wednesday afternoon.

Cheung said the harbouring of criminals under different pretexts by other jurisdictions would only send a wrong message to them that they need not face any criminal liability.

The 22-year-old university student who fled has told several media outlets that she chose to escape from Hong Kong, because she knew she would not be given a fair trial.

But the Chief Secretary stressed at the meeting that people accused of crimes would face an open and fair trial, and Hong Kong courts will handle all cases in an independent, fair and just manner.

The official also said there is no question of political persecution in the SAR, with prosecutions made based on the acts, but not the person's political beliefs or background.

Berlin has granted asylum to Hong Kong activists before, with Hong Kong Indigenous founder Ray Wong and his colleague Alan Li being the first Hong Kongers to obtain political refugee status there.

Some Western governments, including Britain and Canada, have offered a path to citizenship for some seeking to flee Hong Kong.