HONG KONG, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday expressed strong disapproval of and firm opposition to Britain's wanton stigmatization of China, arbitrary arrest and prosecution of Chinese citizens in Britain, as well as its defamation of the HKSAR government.
A spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office accused the British side of its disruption of the normal operations of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, and its support for wanted anti-China fugitives who fled Hong Kong.
The spokesperson said that Britain's false accusations and despicable political manipulation have seriously violated the spirit of the rule of law, infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Britain, and gravely violated the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, adding that these actions will only expose Britain's own disgrace and damage its image and credibility.
Hong Kong is part of China, and the Chinese side firmly opposes any external forces to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs and other China's internal affairs in any way, the spokesperson noted.
"We strongly urge the British side to cease anti-China political manipulation, stop its self-directed political farce, earnestly guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Britain, and ensure the normal performance of the duties of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London," the spokesperson said, warning "If the British side persists in its course of action, China will take resolute countermeasures." ■
