China warns of retaliatory action againstthe United Kingdom and Australia, after they criticised Beijing over the ousted pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong.
(Aired on ViuTVSix on 13 November 2020)
Script:
Strongreactions from Beijing this afternoon. TheForeign Ministry spokesman didn'tmince his words in rebuking the UK and Australia after theyboth spoke out againstthe disqualification of local lawmakers.
(Soundbite, WANGWENBIN, ForeignMinistry Spokesman)
"TheUK has no right to supervise or inspectHong Kong's affairs. No rightto use the Joint Declaration to interfere in HongKong's affairs and China's internal affairs.
Australiaalso has its own serious issues such asover-immigration and rights of aboriginal peoples. The UK andAustralia are not qualified and do nothave any moral or legal authority to makeindiscreet remarks about Hong Kong's affairs."
Yet thegovernment's disqualification of Alvin Yeung, DennisKwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung TC - CPPCC pc drewapplause from Hong Kongrepresentatives to the ChinesePeople's Political Consultative Conference.
They toldreporters today, they'rehappy the four were punished forsupporting US sanctions against Hong Kong.
And shookoff criticisms by many in Hong Kong and abroad, who say thedecision destroys the city's rule of law.
(Soundbite, HENRY TANG, StandingCommittee Member, CPPCC)
"I'msure everybody here understands andsupports that Hong Kong's legal system isgrounded in very solid bedrock of due process.
If theydecide to launch a judicial review it will beup to our judiciary to make that decision."
Among thecritics is the Bar Association, which said the move violates basic principlesof rule of law, fairness and due process.
In oustingthe lawmakers, the government citedelection officers' invalidation of their run for Legco, back in July.
Andtherefore, they shouldn't be able to remain in office for the current, extendedterm.
In astatement last night, theAssociation said the government "illegitimatelyelevated officials from theexecutive branch" to make decisionsof constitutional importance. And thatit ignored due process in the decision.
The move,which was backed by Beijing, continuedto draw backlash from overseas.
USSecretary of State Mike Pompeo accused it of turned Legco into "anotherrubber-stamp parliament," like theNational People's Congress.
Pompeoadded that democracy had been "crushed" in Hong Kong.
- ENDS -