The disappearances of the five publishers who sold books critical of
Chinese leaders had provoked concern that China was using shadowy
tactics to erode the formula under which Hong Kong has been governed
since its return to China from British rule in 1997.
China says EU criticism of its rule of Hong Kong unfounded(Channel News Asia)
EU criticism of China's rule over Hong Kong
is unfounded, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, after an EU
report called the disappearance of five booksellers the most serious
challenge to the "one country, two systems" principle since the city's return to China.
The
disappearances of the five publishers who sold books critical of
Chinese leaders had provoked concern that China was using shadowy
tactics to erode the formula under which Hong Kong has been governed
since its return to China from British rule in 1997.
One of the booksellers, Lee Bo,
a British passport holder, disappeared in December and surfaced in
China almost three months later. He has since returned to Hong Kong and
said he had not been kidnapped by Chinese authorities as many suspected,
but Britain had said he was removed under duress.
The
one country, two systems principle was called into "serious doubt" by
the case of the missing publishers, the annual EU report released on
Monday said.
"The case raises serious concerns
about respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and about the
application of PRC (China) criminal law to acts that are not punishable
under Hong Kong law," the report said.
It said the case could have an impact on Hong Kong's standing as a global business centre.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the EU should "stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs".
"The
EU report disregards the facts and makes unfounded criticism about Hong
Kong affairs. We express our firm opposition to this," Hua told
reporters at a regular press briefing.
"The Chinese government's determination to implement 'one country, two systems' is unwavering and will not change," Hua said.
Chinese officials have repeatedly said they would never do anything illegal and that Hong Kong's autonomy was fully respected.
Hong
Kong authorities are still waiting for detailed explanations from China
regarding the booksellers and how Lee was able to cross into China from
Hong Kong without his travel documents, including a British passport.
The
controversy has exacerbated social tensions between Hong Kong and
China, fuelling a fledgling independence movement among pockets of the
city's increasingly restive youth including those who took part in the
79-day "Occupy Central" democracy street protests in late 2014.
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