G7 expresses 'grave concern' over HK affairs
Baku, June 18, AZERTAC
The top diplomats of the Group of Seven industrialized nations have expressed "grave concern" over China's decision to introduce national security legislation in Hong Kong, according to NHK WORLD-JAPAN.
G7 foreign ministers and the European Union's foreign policy chief issued a joint statement on Wednesday.
It says that the Chinese decision, aimed at cracking down on anti-government protesters in the territory, is not "in conformity" with Hong Kong's Basic Law and a commitment to the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration.
It added that the legislation would seriously risk undermining the "one country, two systems" principle, which guaranteed a high degree of autonomy and freedom in Hong Kong. And it strongly urged China to reconsider the decision.
The articles of the security legislation are expected to be on the agenda at a meeting of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress starting on Thursday.
In late May, the United States, Britain and two other countries issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the situation. Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo also said earlier this month that his country would play a leading role in the G7 issuing a statement on the issue.
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