Question: Anti-China MPs Tom Tugendhat, Iain Duncan Smith and David Alton have made unwarranted comments about the Hong Kong High Court’s sentencing of Joshua Wong Chi-fung, an anti-China figure bent on destabilising Hong Kong. What is the Embassy’s comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where abiding by the law and holding lawbreakers accountable are fundamental principles. Joshua Wong was convicted of conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or external elements to endanger national security, which is a grave offence. In the face of overwhelming facts and evidence, he had no grounds to contest the charges and chose to plead guilty. The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and taking action in accordance with the law against acts that endanger national security.

We urge the relevant UK politicians to respect China’s sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs in any way.