China condemns EU Parliament's resolution on Hong Kong's shrinking freedoms

HONG KONG (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry condemned a resolution passed by the European Parliament concerning Hong Kong’s shrinking rights to free speech, even as Beijing seeks to restore economic links with the EU.

The EU body overwhelmingly adopted a resolution Thursday citing the deterioration of the city’s freedoms since the imposition by Beijing of a sweeping national security law in 2020. It urged the Hong Kong government to release and drop all charges against activist publisher Jimmy Lai, who was arrested under the security law, along with other pro-democracy activists. It also renewed its call on the EU to introduce targeted sanctions against officials responsible for "the ongoing human rights crackdown in the city,” including Hong Kong leader John Lee.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s office in Hong Kong issued a statement late Thursday alleging the parliament was trying to use Hong Kong to contain China’s growth, saying such a strategy was “doomed to failure.” The statement said the EU Parliament was interfering with China's internal affairs and trampling on the principles of international law.

“The political drama of a small number of foreign politicians cannot shake the (Hong Kong) Government’s firm determination to administer Hong Kong according to law and hold crimes accountable,” the statement read.