Zimbabwe wants end to interference in HK: Xinhua

Zimbabwe backs Beijing’s decision to overhaul Hong Kong’s electoral system and is fed up with foreign countries meddling in the SAR’s affairs, mainland state media announced on Wednesday.

Xinhua News Agency ran an article setting out where the African country’s ruling ZANU-PF stands on the planned changes to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, explaining at length the position of the politburo’s secretary for external relations, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

Xinhua said Mumbengegwi, who is also the country’s foreign minister, read out a statement where he agreed that Hong Kong is part of China.

“ZANU-PF is of the view that the return of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 has put the region once again under the overall governance system of the PRC, making Hong Kong a Special Administrative Region of China,” Mumbengegwi reportedly declared.

Mumbengegwi appeared to share Beijing’s views on Legco’s role when it comes to national security, prosperity and stability.

“He also called for an immediate end to external meddling by some Western governments and news agencies inciting divisions and violence in Hong Kong to undermine China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” the report added.

Other countries that have voiced support for the electoral overhaul in Hong Kong include Belarus and Laos.