US castigates China's 'patriotism' resolution over Hong Kong leaders' disqualification

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed China's 'onslaught' against freedom in Hong Kong on Thursday, vember 12. He condemned 'patriotism' resolution passed by Beijing this week that resulted in disqualification of four pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong's Legislative Council. He furr alleged that resolution passed by Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress on vember 11 tramples on rights of people of Hong Kong to choose ir elected representatives.

"Beijing's onslaught against Hong Kong's freedoms and liberties continues. This resolution tramples on rights of people of Hong Kong to choose ir elected representatives as guaranteed by Basic Law and furr exposes Beijing's blatant disregard for its international commitments under Si-British Joint Declaration, a UN-registered treaty,"  Pompeo said in an official statement.

ding furr he said, "Beijing has eliminated nearly all of Hong Kong's promised automy, as it neuters democratic processes and legal tritions that have been bedrock of Hong Kong's stability and prosperity."

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Pompeo alleged that Chinese Communist Party's twisted vision of patriotism is a pretext to stifle freedom and call for democracy. He ded that  US will continue to work with its allies and partners around world to champion rights and freedoms of people of Hong Kong and call out Beijing's abject failure to hor its commitments. He also said y will hold accountable people responsible for se actions and policies that erode Hong Kong's automy and freedoms.

"We stand with disqualified pan-Democratic lawmakers, pro-democracy lawmakers who resigned in protest, and people of Hong Kong," he ded.

Hong Kong legislators disqualified on Wednesday were Civic Party's Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu, Kwok Ka-ki and Dennis Kwok, alongside Kenneth Leung of Professionals Guild. All lawmakers were previously barred from running in w-postponed Legislative Council elections that were originally scheduled for September. four were originally disqualified in July from contesting elections which were subsequently postponed for a year by government due to  coronavirus pandemic. 

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China Terms Hong Kong Legislative Council Internal Matter

After lawmakers' disqualification, 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. 

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."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson furr claimed that decision to disqualify opposition lawmakers was a necessary step to uphold and improve "one country, two systems" principle, implement that Basic Law and Hong Kong national security law and maintain rule of law and constitute an order. Wang ded that those who break law "must be held accountable" which is basic principle of any law-based society. 

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(With ANI inputs)