Beijing’s top diplomat in Hong Kong doubles down on warnings to ‘foreign forces’ in first public appearance

Liu Guangyuan, who assumed his role last month, tells Communist Party anniversary forum that national security law and elections overhaul are transforming city from ‘chaos to stability’

Speech was delivered to more than 100 guests drawn from the city’s political scene and business sector at a forum celebrating the upcoming anniversary of the Communist Party

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Hong Kong residents hold a national flag aloft in support of a major overhaul of the city’s political system praised on Wednesday by Beijing’s top envoy to the city. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 4:05pm, 16 Jun 2021Updated: 5:13pm, 16 Jun 2021

Beijing’s new top diplomat in Hong Kong, who called the battle against “foreign forces” his top priority after taking the job last month, has doubled down on that message, saying those seeking to curb China’s growth or undermine its dignity are “doomed to fail”.

In his first public appearance as commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Liu Guangyuan on Wednesday said last week’s passing of an anti-sanctions law by China’s top legislative body reflected a “pressing need to fight back against hegemonism and power politics” and to safeguard national sovereignty and security.

“Here is our solemn message to the small handful of anti-China forces: the dignity and legitimate rights of the Chinese people are not to be undermined. The historical trend towards the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation under the CPC [Communist Party of China] leadership is not to be stopped,” he said on Wednesday.

“Any attempt, open or underhanded, to interfere in China’s internal affairs and curb China’s development is doomed to fail.”

Liu Guangyuan’s words of warning to “foreign forces” on Wednesday were delivered at a forum celebrating the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Liu’s message was delivered at an international symposium celebrating the coming 100th anniversary of the Communist Party. Co-organised by Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong and the state-owned Bauhinia Culture Holdings, the forum was attended by more than 100 guests from the city’s political and business sectors, as well as by local and overseas academics who joined via video link.

Earlier this month, Liu said he would work with Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to safeguard China’s sovereignty and security and to oppose external interference, during a 40-minute meeting with the city’s leader at Government House.