Beijing slams US for calling Hong Kong protest song ban blow to judicial independence
- Hong Kong appellate court earlier ruled in city government’s favour and banned distribution of 2019 pro-independence protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’
- Beijing expresses ‘strong dissatisfaction’ as Washington describes ban as blow to Hong Kong’s judicial independence
Beijing has warned US officials to stop “disgracing themselves” by interfering in Hong Kong affairs, after Washington described a court’s decision to ban a protest song as a blow to the city’s judicial independence.
The commissioner’s office of China’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong on Thursday issued a statement titled: “Interfering in the administration of justice in special administrative regions is futile and brings disgrace upon oneself”.
The office described the words from the US State Department as “irresponsible remarks” that blatantly interfered in the administration of justice in Hong Kong.
“The office expresses strong dissatisfaction and strongly opposes this,” it added.
It emphasised the legality of the ban, since the song was “intended to incite division, provoke hatred, advocate violent resistance, and seriously violate Hong Kong’s national security law”.
The office also accused the US of exercising double standards, advising the country’s politicians to “change course” and stop interfering with China’s internal affairs.