China blasts UK support of judges’ resignations

The Chinese Embassy in the UK on Thursday accused the British government of “political manipulation” by endorsing the resignation of two British judges from Hong Kong’s top court.

Robert Reed, the head of the UK Supreme Court, and fellow judge Patrick Hodge on Wednesday resigned as non-permanent judges of the Court of Final Appeal, citing the national security law and an erosion of political freedom in the SAR.

The withdrawal was endorsed by British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who said the Chinese government has used the national security law to undermine rights and freedoms in the city.

In a statement, a spokesman of the embassy said China firmly opposes and strongly disapproves of what it calls the UK’s intervention into Hong Kong and China affairs.

The spokesman said Hong Kong has returned to stability, and justice has been served since the national security law was enacted, adding that people’s rights and freedoms have been protected.

“China comprehensively and accurately adheres to the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, and its determination to safeguard Hong Kong’s long term prosperity and stability is firm and unmovable,” the spokesman said.

The embassy also stressed that the Chinese government runs the SAR according to the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984.

“We strongly urge Britain to respect China’s sovereignty, and to stop using any means to bring troubles to Hong Kong and interfere with China’s internal affairs.”