A Chinese diplomat recently met with the US consul general in Hong Kong and warned him not to cross “red lines” in protest against what China called his “inappropriate” interference in the territory’s affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Hong Kong said its commissioner Liu Guangyuan met Gregory May to express objections to his words, and drew three red lines for the US consul general and US consulate general in Hong Kong. These red lines included not to endanger China’s national security, not to engage in political infiltration in Hong Kong, and not to slander or damage Hong Kong’s development prospect.
The US consulate in Hong Kong did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This warning comes after Mr May expressed concern over diminished freedoms in Hong Kong and said its reputation as a business centre depended on adherence to international standards and the rule of law. Mr Liu’s office accused Mr May of slandering the rule of law and freedom in Hong Kong when he questioned the legal decision made in Beijing and other changes in Hong Kong’s governance. The US and other democracies have been critical of China’s crackdown on political freedoms in the former British colony. This has led to tensions between Beijing and Washington, which have reached their lowest level in years.
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