China condemns G7's ‘erroneous remarks’ on Hong Kong arrest warrants

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - China has condemned the Group of Seven’s (G7) “erroneous remarks” on Hong Kong’s arrest warrants for what Beijing calls “anti-China disruptors,” state-run Xinhua News reported Sunday.

"The irresponsible remarks made by a small group of countries … regarding the law enforcement actions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) police constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs and the rule of law in the Hong Kong SAR,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Britain said Saturday.

The statement came after the G7 on Friday criticized Hong Kong police for issuing arrest warrants on July 25 against individuals overseas, calling the move a violation of "freedom of expression," according to a joint statement.

“We strongly condemn such remarks," the spokesperson added, noting that Beijing supports “the Hong Kong SAR government in performing its duties in accordance with the law, and firmly support the Hong Kong police in taking law enforcement actions in accordance with the law."

"The collusion of these countries to meddle in the rule of law in Hong Kong only further exposes their double standards and hypocrisy on issues of human rights and the rule of law," the spokesperson added, urging the nations to “cease interfering in China's internal affairs.”

On July 25, Hong Kong’s national security police announced warrants for 19 overseas-based activists, accusing them of subversion under the city’s national security law. Bounties were offered for 15 of them, a move the US also criticized.