China says will not allow Hong Kong issue to be discussed at G20 summit
[BEIJING] China's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Jun said on Monday that China will not allow the Group of 20 nations to discuss the Hong Kong issue at its summit this week.
Millions of people demonstrated on the streets of Hong Kong this month against a bill that would allow people to be extradited to the mainland to face trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
It triggered the most violent protests in decades when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The extradition bill and police reaction to the protests drew international criticism from rights groups.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump will meet at the G20 summit in the Japanese city of Osaka this week amid heightened trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.
"What I can tell you for sure is that G20 will not discuss the Hong Kong issue. We will not allow G20 to discuss the Hong Kong issue," Mr Zhang said, when asked whether Trump and Xi would discuss Hong Kong at the G20.
"Hong Kong is China's special administrative region. Hong Kong matters are purely an internal affair due China. No foreign country has a right to interfere," Mr Zhang said.
"No matter at what venue, using any method, we will not permit any country or person to interfere in China's internal affairs."
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Sunak says UK to raise defence spending amid global threats
China’s central bank hints it may add treasury bond trades to policy toolkit
US business activity cools in April; inflation measures mixed
India’s inflation at risk from extreme weather, geopolitical issues: central bank
Thailand to replace military-appointed Senate, reduce its powers
Bankers lose hope of London IPO revival for another year