Stop interfering in domestic affairs: China to Canada

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China on Monday asked Canada to stop “interfering” in its domestic affairs. Chinese anger stemmed from Ottawa’s decision to suspend the extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

Addressing a news conference in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said, his country was reserving the right to take further measures.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had on Friday announced to suspend the extradition treaty with Hong Kong due to the new national security law implemented by China in the semi-autonomous region.

“Relevant comments and actions by the Canadian side have grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and seriously violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations”, Chinese broadcaster CGTN quoting Lijian as saying.

The new security law was unanimously passed by China’s National People’s Congress last week and made part of the statute by President Xi Jinping on July 1.

It has drawn criticism within Hong Kong and in the international community, which Beijing has dismissed as “foreign intervention.”

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous region that has been part of China since 1997 when the UK handed over the former colony to Beijing.

Since last year, it has witnessed widespread protests sparked by a move to legalize extradition of people to mainland