Chinese Foreign Ministry Calls U.S. Ambassador on the Carpet To Protest Hong Kong Legislation

July 16, 2020 (EIRNS)—Terry Branstad, the U.S. Ambassador to China, was called in to the Foreign Ministry to protest President Donald Trump’s signing of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang urged Branstad to “correct the mistake” and suspend the provisions of the law and the changes to Hong Kong’s status, describing it as “vehement interference” in China’s internal affairs. He said that U.S. steps to sanction Chinese entities and individuals “grossly violated international laws and the basic principles of international relations,” and he threatened Chinese retaliation.

“The Hong Kong [law] and the executive order were concocted by the U.S. not because it cares about democracy and freedom of Hong Kong people, but as a means to hinder the development of China,” Zheng said. “Such a scheme will never succeed.”

Zheng said that the U.S. also “revealed its hegemonic nature” in its recent interference in Xinjiang, Tibet and South China Sea. “China has and will continue to take countermeasures to resolutely safeguard the core interests,” said Zheng. “I want to tell the United States that any bullying and injustice imposed on China by the U.S. will be resolutely countered by China. The United States’ attempt to block China’s development is doomed to failure.... We urge the U.S. to change its course immediately, stop defamation and provocation against China, and do not go further and further on the wrong path,” he said