China urges UK, EU to drop their 'colonial mindsets'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Mar 2024 08:53
3 Shares

The EU and the UK express 'concerns' regarding the Article 23 bill passed by China, triggering a firm response from China.

Pedestrians walk along the promenade next to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, on Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP)

China refuted statements made by certain European politicians regarding the enactment of Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong on Tuesday, urging Western nations to cease their interference in Hong Kong and China's internal affairs.

After the bill was passed, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron released a statement asserting that the Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law was "impulsively" pushed through the legislative process and would undermine the rule of law, autonomy, and the rights and freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in the UK denounced the British remarks as a significant misrepresentation of the facts and deemed it a critical interference in China's internal affairs. "We are firmly against this," the embassy stated, noting that the legislative process was rigorous and procedure-based.

It emphasized that the content of the law is "sound and reasonable", further noting that the definition of criminal elements is "clear", and the severity of penalties is "appropriate". Moreover, it "aligns with international law and common practices worldwide."

Hong Kong slams UK's 'colonial mindset'

On Tuesday, Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously approved the long-awaited bill, as mandated by Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. The draft bill, titled the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, will be officially published in the gazette on Saturday and will come into effect.

The embassy said that "Hong Kong-related affairs are China's internal affairs, in which the UK side has no position to make unwarranted remarks," urging London to cease its baseless accusations regarding the Article 23 legislation and to refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs.

Moreover, the Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong slammed Cameron's remarks on Wednesday. The statement emphasized that the UK has at least 14 laws dedicated to upholding national security, stressing that its latest National Security Act introduced in 2023 contains numerous vaguely defined clauses and grants broad authorizations to law enforcement agencies.

According to the statement, the UK's human rights record is far from commendable, highlighting numerous instances of human rights violations within its borders and a notorious reputation on the international stage. It suggested that the UK should introspect and abandon its "hypocritical and double-standard tactics."

The commissioner's office noted that the UK's persistent stirring of trouble and reckless comments on Hong Kong's situation, openly disregarding international law and norms, stems from its deeply rooted colonial mindset.

China urges the UK to "correct its position, face reality, give up the illusion of extending its colonial influence in Hong Kong, and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal matters in any way."

Hong Kong's dissatisfaction with EU's 'concerns'

Apart from Cameron, the High Representative acting on behalf of the European Union also voiced their "concerns" regarding the legislation.

On Tuesday, the EU said that the law could worsen the decline of basic freedoms and political diversity in Hong Kong, potentially affecting EU citizens, organizations, and companies in the region.

In response, Hong Kong's Commissioner's Office expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's statement on Wednesday, urging the EU to abandon hypocrisy and double standards, while refraining from interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal matters.