File photo: CGTN

China firmly opposes shielding criminals by any country, organization or individual, a spokesperson said on Thursday in response to the approval of political asylum applications by the UK to wanted Hong Kong criminal Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

It is gross interference to justice in Hong Kong for the UK to openly stand up for so-called “Hong Kong independence” activist and provide so-called asylum for the criminals, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stressed at a routine press briefing.

The act, Zhao added, is also contrary to international law and the basic principles of international relations, as well as the principle of the rule of law that the UK has always boasted.

China urged the UK to immediately correct its mistake and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and other China internal affairs.

Law, a former member of an activist group, fled overseas to escape the charge of violating the Law of the China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including suspected secession and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security.

(Compiled by Xiong Xinyi)