China slams US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for condemning Hong Kong extradition bill
- Beijing demands Washington stop interfering in China’s internal affairs after Pelosi says Congress would reassess whether Hong Kong has ‘sufficient autonomy’
- British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt adds his support for the protesters, saying the legislation ought to be put on hold
China hit back at US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday over what it called “erroneous remarks” about Hong Kong’s controversial extradition bill, calling on Washington to stop interfering in Beijing’s affairs.
“The affairs of Hong Kong are purely the internal affairs of China. No other nation, organisation and individual can intervene,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said when asked about a statement by Pelosi on Tuesday night.
“China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to some people in the US for making irresponsible and incorrect remarks on the amendment to the extradition bill.
“We demand the United States view the [bill] objectively and impartially, and be cautious in making remarks, stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and the internal affairs of China.”
In her statement, Pelosi, the California Democrat who runs the House of Representatives, condemned the extradition bill and said that if it was passed the US Congress would reassess whether Hong Kong had “sufficient autonomy”.
She said the bill – which would allow extraditions from Hong Kong to mainland China – “chillingly showcases Beijing’s brazen willingness to trample over the law to silence dissent and stifle the freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”.