G7 powers desire China to end 'oppression' in Hong Kong
13 March, 2021
Group of Seven powers on Friday (Mar 12) demanded that China honor commitments in Hong Kong and end "oppression" against democratic activists after Beijing forced sweeping changes of the city's election system.
Beijing's parliament on Thursday passed reforms having said that that only "patriots" may run the town, which was guaranteed another system before Britain paid control in 1997.
"Such a good decision strongly indicates that the authorities in mainland China happen to be determined to remove dissenting voices and opinions found in Hong Kong," Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States as well as the European Union said in a joint statement.
The G7's top diplomats said they "call on China and the Hong Kong authorities to revive confidence in Hong Kong's political institutions and end the unwarranted oppression of these who promote democratic values."
"The people of Hong Kong ought to be trusted to cast their votes in the very best interests of Hong Kong. Discussion of differing views, not silencing of these, is the way to safe and sound the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong," they said.
Beijing has brushed aside earlier international warnings on Hong Kong and this past year pushed through a good draconian security costs used to detain activists.
The actions came after Hong Kong was rocked by significant and sometimes violent protests in 2019 against Beijing's encroachment on the financial hub's one of a kind freedoms.
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