The Chinese Embassy in the United States has defended a law disqualifying four elected pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong and accused five western countries of having a "racial superiority complex."
A spokesperson for the embassy issued a statement on Saturday criticizing the Five Eyes intelligence sharing group, which consists of the U.S., UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, after the countries called on China to reinstate the lawmakers.
"Their statement has openly breached international law and basic norms governing international relations and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. The Chinese side is strongly concerned about and firmly opposed to it," the Chinese embassy said.
The embassy's statement argued the decision was in accordance with China's constitution and Hong Kong's basic law.
They said it was "a necessary move to uphold and safeguard the principle of 'One Country Two Systems' as well as rule of law and the constitutional order of Hong Kong SAR [Special Administrative Region].
"It is fully legitimate, justified and in strict keeping with the Constitution and other laws. People in public office must uphold their country's constitutional laws and honor the pledge of allegiance to their country."
The law disqualifies anyone from serving on the legislative council who supports independence for Hong Kong, doesn't recognize Beijing's sovereignty over the region, seeks help from foreign powers or engages in "other acts that endanger national security," according to The Guardian.
The Chinese embassy's statement went on to criticize the Five Eyes nations in stark terms, accusing the mostly western nations of having ulterior and potentially imperialist motives.
"If one's heart is blind, you do not expect his/her eyes to be bright," the statement said. "The Five Eyes Alliance countries, including the United States, should reflect on the racial superiority complex deep in their hearts, give up their pride and prejudice inherited from Hong Kong's colonial rule and shed their illusion of using Hong Kong to contain China's development and prosperity.
"We urge them to drop their hypocrisy and double standards, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and turn their eyes to their own governance issues that urgently need addressing. In today's world, no attempt to pressurize China or damage China's sovereignty, security and development interests will ever prevail."
"We urge the Chinese central authorities to re-consider their actions against Hong Kong's elected legislature and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members," foreign ministers from the five countries said in a statement on Thursday.
"China's action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration," they said.
The Chinese embassy in the U.S. rejected this claim, saying the the Sino-British Joint Declaration was not the legal basis for China's administration in Hong Kong.
"The Joint Declaration has never conferred any power on the United Kingdom or any other country to assume any responsibility over Hong Kong after its return. There is no legal basis or position for the Five Eyes Alliance to point fingers about Hong Kong affairs," the embassy said.
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About the writer
Darragh Roche is a U.S. News Reporter based in Limerick, Ireland. His focus is reporting on U.S. politics. He has ... Read more
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