China says Britain fuelling protests after HK minister jostled in London
BEIJING: China on Friday condemned an incident in which Hong Kong’s justice secretary was jostled by masked demonstrators in London, and accused Britain of fuelling pro-democracy unrest.
Teresa Cheng, Hong Kong’s deeply unpopular Secretary for Justice, fell while being surrounded by a crowd of jeering pro-democracy protesters as she prepared to attend a speaking event on Thursday night in London. She regained her feet moments later and was escorted away with no visible signs of injury.
But the Chinese government called it an “appalling attack” and has demanded that Britain offer security protection to the
Hong Kong minister.
“If the British side does not change its wrong practices, and continues to add fuel to the fire, sow discord and instigate others, and make false countercharges, then it will bring calamity on itself,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.
Geng said that failing to act on “anti-China elements” in Hong Kong will not only cause trouble in the semi-autonomous territory, but will also “cause serious interference and destruction to the international community including the United Kingdom.”
He called for Britain to “bring the culprits to justice, and... safeguard the personal security and dignity of all Chinese personnel in the UK.”
PROTESTERS DEFY XI WITH MORE RALLIES
Pro-democracy protesters defied a warning by Xi and again took to the city’s streets on Friday, as the political turmoil seeped out to London where a minister from the Southern Chinese city was confronted by masked demonstrators.
Hong Kong has seen relentless protests since June as many in the city of 7.5 million people have vented fury at eroding freedoms under Chinese rule.