China urged the United States to stop using the Hong Kong issue to interfere with its domestic affairs on Monday; after the US embassy called for the release of 12 Hong Kong fugitives on trial in Shenzhen.
A spokesman for the US embassy in Beijing said in a statement on Monday that the “so-called crime” of these fugitives was to “flee tyranny;” and that China will “stop at nothing” to prevent its people from seeking freedom elsewhere.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news briefing that the US remarks “disregard facts”.
Zhao also said that China is firmly opposed to these remarks; and urged the United States to stop interfering with China’s domestic affairs.
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However, Germany’s U.N. envoy, during his last scheduled U.N. Security Council meeting, appealed to China to free two detained Canadians for Christmas; prompting China deputy U.N. envoy to respond: “Out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance.”
Germany finishes a two-year term on the 15-member council at the end of this month; and Ambassador Christoph Heusgen also plans to retire after more than 40 years as a diplomat.
“Let me end my tenure on the Security Council by appealing to my Chinese colleagues to ask Beijing for the release of Michael Kovrig; as well as Michael Spavor. Christmas is the right moment for such a gesture,” Heusgen told the council session, whose official agenda topic was Iran.
