Hong Kong pro-establishment lawmakers urged not to meet officials from Five Eyes alliance, European countries, amid souring US-China relations
- A lawmaker says he was told by an employee of Beijing’s liaison office not to meet any officials from Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, the US, and European countries
- But he says the Beijing official neither explained to him the reason behind the instruction nor elaborated which European countries he was referring to
Pro-establishment lawmakers in Hong Kong had been urged not to meet any officials and consuls from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and other European countries, sources said on Thursday.
The reminder, said to be from Beijing’s liaison office in the city, was seen as the latest manifestation of mainland China and Hong Kong’s souring relationship with Western powers, following the imposition of the national security law on the city.
A pro-establishment lawmaker said on condition of anonymity that an employee of the liaison office last week asked him to refrain from meeting any officials or consuls from the Five Eyes alliance – comprising Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States – as well as from other European countries.
“[The official] neither explained why, nor elaborated what these European countries are,” the source said.
The lawmaker said he attended meetings with at least two European envoys over the past months upon being invited, but had not received any invitation since last week.
Relations between Beijing and the alliance have become fraught in recent months, inflamed by a host of issues such as the differences between China and the US, rows over technology, trade, and the situation in Hong Kong.