Ottawa: Beijing has urged Ottawa not to interfere in Hong Kong’s affairs after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie claimed the city’s independence was suppressed under Chinese rule. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa said in a statement that outside forces should not make irresponsible remarks. Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, and no external forces are involved. The position of making irresponsible remarks.
“Deeper relations” between Canada and Hong Kong are not an excuse to interfere in Hong Kong affairs,” the statement read. We urge, once again, the Canadian side to respect the rule of law, respect China’s sovereignty and unity and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any way. Otherwise, the Canadian side will only discredit itself and face strong backlash from the Chinese side,” the statement further added.
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On Thursday, Jolie said in a statement that Canada had a direct relationship with Hong Kong, with an estimated 300,000 Canadians living in the city and more than 100 Canadian companies based there. Hong Kong was the first place where Canadians fought a land war in World War II.
Today, more than half a million Hong Kong residents call Canada home and an estimated 300,000 Canadians live in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of Canada’s most important bilateral trade and investment partners, a fact corroborated by the presence of over 100 notable Canadian companies in the region. These direct ties and the universal values that we share enrich our society and unite us.” But Jolie said freedom of speech and the peaceful expression of alternative views has been protected by national security laws enforced in Hong over the past two years. Was suppressed with doing. Kong.
We call on Hong Kong and Chinese central authorities to act in accordance with international obligations voluntarily taken 25 years ago. China’s commitment to respect the rule of law and the high degree of autonomy provided under the Basic Law, and to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, is as essential to Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity today as it was in 1997. They will remain so tomorrow and for the next 25 years and so on,” the foreign minister continued. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from the United Kingdom. 1984’s China- The conditions set out in the British Joint Declaration.
The Joint Declaration provides for fundamental rights, a high degree of autonomy and “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong. ’25 years later, Hong Kong is no longer the city we once recognized,’ according to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance of China (IPAC). The harsh national security law, enacted on June 30, 2020, has been used to punish dissent, reduce protests, and undermine freedom of speech and the city’s autonomy.
Since the adoption of the law, at least 183 arrests have been made and 113 individuals have been charged, more than 50 civil society organizations have been forced to dissolve and many media outlets have ceased to operate. .