Hong Kong/Shanghai, July 4: The Chinese state-run media has on Thursday blamed the Western government and ideologues for Hong Kong unrest in the midst of heightening diplomatic conflict between the United Kingdom (UK) and China over protests in the ex-British colony against a controversial extradition bill that would permit suspects in the territory to be sent to mainland China for court prosecution.
In an editorial published in the official China Daily read, “Ideologues in Western governments never cease in their efforts to engineer unrest against governments that are not to their liking, even though their actions have caused misery and chaos in country after country in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.”
It added, “Now they are trying the same trick in China.”
The legislative council remains due to hold a meeting later on Thursday at an unnamed venue, according to Reuters news reports.
The China Daily has accused Western powers of instigating un unrest against the Hong Kong government “as a means to put pressure on the central government”.
“The violent behavior that these Western agitators are emboldening tramples on the rule of law in Hong Kong and undermines its social order,” it said.
Recently, Liu has condemned British stance over the mass anti-extradition bill marches in Hong Kong. The diplomatic turmoil between the two nations on the issue began on Tuesday shortly after Hunt has urged the Chinese government of “serious consequences” if they violated deals which had been inked in 1997 Hong Kong handover to Chinese rule, according to Sputnik news reports.
Also read: UK summons China’ envoy Liu amidst row over Hong Kong anti-extradition protests