Beijing has slammed Western nations for interfering in China’s internal affairs over their criticism of the conviction of the now-disbanded alliance that organised Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigils and its former leaders for inciting subversion.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian used a regular press briefing on Monday to hit out at “certain countries and organisations” for using the case to smear Hong Kong and denigrate its rule of law.
He made the comments in response to questions about expressions of concern from the US and other countries over a Hong Kong court ruling last week, which found the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, ex-chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung guilty of attempting to undermine the fundamental system of the People’s Republic of China under the national security law.
Albert Ho Chun-yan, another former alliance chairman, previously pleaded guilty.
The ruling triggered criticism from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia, which characterised it as an example of eroding freedoms in Hong Kong.
US Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes called for the defendants’ immediate release, while UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said residents should be allowed to speak without fear of arrest or prosecution.