'Immediately reinstate': Five Eyes press China to reverse ban on Hong Kong legislators

China has been pressed by Five Eyes intelligence sharing group to revoke ban on pro-democracy legislators in Hong Kong. In a joint statement, Foreign Ministers of Australia, Britain, Cana, New Zealand and United States said that Chinese Communist Party’s move of disqualifying lawmakers in former British colony is a clampdown on critics and urged Beijing to overturn ban. While China has continued to increase its control over Hong Kong, pro-Beijing lawmakers in city expelled four opposition members from its legislatures just last week after China gave authority. 

“We urge Chinese central authorities to re-consider ir actions against Hong Kong’s elected legislature and immediately reinstate Legislative Council members,” foreign ministers from Australia, Britain, Cana, New Zealand and United States said in a joint statement.

China’s latest move on Hong Kong also triggered widespre protests along with mass resignations by Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition lawmakers. It also raised furr concerns over former British colony’s automy being in danger under ‘One Country, Two Systems’. In same light, five countries said, “China’s action is a clear breach of its international obligations under legally binding, UN-registered Si-British Joint Declaration.”

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China said ‘ country should interfere’

After disqualifying four lawmakers from Hong Kong's Legislative Council, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin on vember 11 intensified pressure on pro-democracy movement and said that matter was an internal affair of China and country should intervene. pro-democracy legislators were disqualified with immediate effect after National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) passed a resolution allowing local authorities power to unseat politicians without having to go through city's courts.

While speaking at a conference, Wang said, "I would like to stress that Hong Kong is a Special ministrative Region of China, and qualification of HKSAR LegCo (Legislative Council) members is purely an internal affair of China. or country has right to make irresponsible remarks or intervene in matter”. 

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Im: AP