Jul 6, 2020
Don't criticize China's treatment of Hong Kong, Beijing warns Canada
The Canadian Press
What Does the New Law Mean for the Future of Hong Kong?
OTTAWA -- China is threatening retaliation against Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned a new security law giving Beijing more control over Hong Kong.
In a news conference Monday, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry said Canada had "seriously violated international law and basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs."
Zhao Lijian said Hong Kong's affairs are internal Chinese business and other countries have no right to get involved, and China reserves the right to further react.
Last week Canada joined other countries in restricting exports to Hong Kong and complaining that the new law violates the principle of "one country, two systems" that is meant to govern Hong Kong's place in China.
Tensions between Canada and China have already been high, with China accusing Canada of malfeasance in detaining high-tech executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant and Canada accusing China of arbitrarily detaining Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Canadian exports of canola and meat to China have also been obstructed.