Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Ottawa, August 19: The Chinese embassy in Ottawa warned Canada to halt meddling in Hong Kong internal affairs on Sunday, stating the matter is “purely internal” and doesn’t need any foreign interference.

The warning comes hours after Canada’s foreign minister Chrystia Freeland and European Union (EU) foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini issued a joint statement, saying urgent actions are indeed to de-escalate the pertaining situation in Hong Kong.

On the eve of Sunday’s peaceful rally, Freeland and Mogherini said: “Fundamental freedoms, including the right of peaceful assembly … must continue to be upheld,” according to Reuters.

The joint statement also expressed concerns over the heightening of breaches and encouraged engagements by different sides to deescalate tensions.

The Chinese embassy said Canada should “immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs”.

In an official statement, the Chinese embassy said: “We want to reiterate that Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, which brook no interference by any other country, organization or individual. The ‘One Country, Two Systems’ is enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, not international law.”

The embassy also underlined the government of China is determined to protect its “One Country, Two Systems” policy.

“Under the current situation, the Canadian side should be cautious on its words and deeds regarding the Hong Kong related issue,” the statement from an unnamed “spokesperson” for the Chinese embassy in Canada said.

“The relevant protests and demonstrations in Hong Kong have already deteriorated and evolved into extreme violence. In face of such severe violence and offences, no government with a sense of responsibility would sit idly by,” the statement said.

The joint Canada-EU statement said, “Engagement in a process of broad-based and inclusive dialogue, involving all key stakeholders, is essential,” further noting both the EU and Canada back Hong Kong’s “high degree of autonomy” within Beijing.

The statement called to exercise maximum restraint and avoid violence and make urgent moves to deescalate the situation.

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