China on Wednesday slammed a decision by the European Union to limit exports of surveillance equipment to Hong Kong over concerns about a controversial new security law in the city.
The law, which was fast-tracked onto the statute books in June after months of pro-democracy protests in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, threatens life sentences for vaguely worded offences including secession and subversion of state power.
Critics say it violates the “One Country, Two Systems” arrangement that has governed Hong Kong since Britain returned the former colony to China in 1997, allowing the city freedoms unseen on the Chinese mainland.
The EU limit on exports “violates the basic international relations norm of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday.
“China firmly opposes this and has made stern representations with the EU,” he said at a regular press briefing.
The EU has struggled to agree on a united response to China’s growing clout. Member states are divided over whether to stand up to Beijing – a hugely important trading partner – or try to cooperate.
Instruments of repression
But the 27 nations on Tuesday came together around a proposal from France and Germany to limit exports to Hong Kong of technology that could be used for “internal repression, the interception of internal communications or cyber-surveillance”.
The bloc will also launch schemes to support the population of the former British colony, granting visas, scholarships and academic exchanges to allow for easier travel to Europe, diplomats said.
Wang on Wednesday told the EU to “stop any interference in Hong Kong matters and China’s internal affairs”.
The United States has responded to the security law with sanctions against Chinese officials, while countries including Canada, Australia and Britain have suspended extradition agreements with Hong Kong.
Beijing insists the law is needed to restore stability in the financial hub after prolonged political unrest, AFP reported.
China-EU investment talks
But there was more positive news on Tuesday, when Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said China and the European Union would accelerate negotiations in order to conclude a China-EU investment agreement by the end of this year.
China and the EU will also continue to strengthen macro economic policy adjustments and implement effective fiscal and monetary policies to push forward global economic recovery, Liu said in a statement published by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
Liu was speaking after an online meeting with European Commission executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis.
On fighting the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 650,000 people around the globe, China and the EU will work on virus prevention, vaccine development and exchanges of professionals through further bilateral cooperation, the statement said.
China and EU would also further expand trade in agricultural products, it said.
With reporting by Reuters
