Published 12:43 IST, May 28th 2020
US, China fight at UN after Beijing opposes Security Council meet over Hong Kong
The United States and China entered a bitter fight at the UN over Hong Kong as Beijing opposed Washington’s call for a virtual meeting of the Security Council.
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United States and China entered a bitter fight at UN over Hong Kong as Beijing opposed Washington’s call for a virtual meeting of Security Council to discuss national security law proposed by China. United States has raised concern over new legislation proposed by China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), which critics say is aimed at undermining higher degree of automy guaranteed under Si-British joint declaration.
US mission to United Nations said in a statement that issue is of “urgent global concern that implicates international peace and security”, and refore requires immediate attention of Security Council. Blaming China for contempt and complete disregard for its international obligations, US mission stated that proposed law would threaten Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and civil liberties.
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“This is ar example of Chinese Communist Party’s fear of transparency and international accountability for its actions,” said mission while highlighting China’s refusal to allow virtual meeting at Security Council.
China’s Ambassor to UN, Zhang Jun, immediately hit back at US saying legislation on national security for Hong Kong is purely China's internal affairs and has thing to do with mandate of Security Council. Taking to Twitter, Ambassor said that China “categorically rejects baseless request” of US for a Security Council meeting, accusing United States of “bullying”.
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Controversial legislation
National People’s Congress (NPC) recently presented a bill aimed at “establishing and improving” legal system of Hong Kong to “safeguard national security”. Wang Chen, Vice Chairman of China's NPC, h said during session that recent protests and violence in territory challenged bottom line of ‘One Country, Two Systems' principle and threatened national sovereignty, security and development interests.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tified Congress that Hong Kong does t continue to warrant special status in tre relations. top US diplomat said in a statement that “ reasonable person” can assert that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of automy after China’s latest action.
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“Hong Kong does t continue to warrant treatment under United States laws in same manner as US laws were applied to Hong Kong before July 1997,” said Pompeo.
12:43 IST, May 28th 2020