Top Beijing envoy in Hong Kong meets US diplomat over sanctions
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner Cui Jianchun expresses ‘solemn representations’ to US Consul General Gregory May over penalties on six officials
Beijing’s foreign affairs representative in Hong Kong has met the top US envoy in the city to lodge “solemn representations” against the latest sanctions imposed by Washington on six mainland Chinese and local officials.
Cui Jianchun, the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, also told US Consul General Gregory May on Wednesday that Beijing would resolutely retaliate against Washington’s hegemony.
The meeting took place a day after Washington announced its latest round of sanctions. Among those targeted in this round were Justice Secretary Paul Lam Ting-kwok and former police commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee, over what the US called the “transnational repression” of opposition activists under the city’s national security laws.
Washington also submitted its latest Hong Kong Policy Act Report to the US Congress, concluding that both central and Hong Kong authorities had continued to use national security as a broad and vague basis to undermine the rule of law and protected rights and freedoms in the city.
Beijing’s foreign affairs arm in Hong Kong on Thursday said Cui met May the day before to express his “solemn representations” against the US’ “unreasonable sanctions” and its latest report on the city.
“[Cui] has expressed strong condemnation and firm opposition to the US’ gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and sternly warned the US side not to underestimate China’s resolute determination to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and development interests,” the office’s statement said.