US ‘interference’ in Hong Kong bound to fail: China

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China on Monday termed US’ move to end some trading privileges for Hong Kong “a violation of international law,” saying such attempts will fail.

At a news briefing in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “The US interference in China's national security legislation for Hong Kong has completely violated basic principles of international law and international relations and is bound to fail,” daily Global Times reported.

On Friday, Trump ordered his administration to halt Hong Kong's preferential treatment under US law in retaliation for China's decision to apply a national security law to the semi-autonomous territory.

China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, formally passed the Hong Kong security legislation on Thursday. Activists fear it will be used by Beijing to quash dissent in the territory.

Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous region under China since 1997, last year witnessed months of protests against a move to legalize extradition to mainland China.

The Beijing statement also came after local government in Hong Kong said the specially administered region was “an inalienable part of China”.

The Hong Kong administration led by Carrie Lam expressed “deep regret” that the US government continued to “smear and demonize the legitimate rights” and duty of China towards Hong Kong.

Trump had said that Beijing, by instituting the controversial law, "unilaterally imposed control over Hong Kong’s security."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said passing the buck to China over COVID-19 “can neither help to tame the virus nor save lives”.

“We persuade those US politicians who are busy politicizing coronavirus to focus on the anti-epidemic works,” Zhao said.

Coronavirus was first reported in China's Wuhan city in last December and spread to more than 188 countries and regions, affecting nearly 6.19 million people. Over 372,000 people have died due to the infection.

On China’s border conflict with India near Ladakh area of disputed Jammu and Kashmir, Zhao said: “Situation on China-India border is generally stable and under control and the two sides are keeping diplomatic and military communication lines open.”

He added that the two sides can “properly handle any problem through negotiations”.

China and India are engaged in a raging border dispute in Ladakh where Beijing and New Delhi accuse each other of trespassing.

Trump had offered to "mediate or arbitrate" between the two countries to resolve the border conflict.