Screenshot from The Chinese Embassy in Germany

The Chinese Embassy in Germany issued a statement on Friday expressing strong indignation over and firm opposition to the remarks made by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas regarding Hong Kong affairs, saying that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's decision to postpone the Legislative Council election due to the severe COVID-19 epidemic situation is a responsible move to protect the lives and health of Hong Kong residents.

The decision made by HKSAR's government is in line with the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the local laws of HKSAR. It represents the efforts of science-based epidemic control and embodies the sense of responsibility for protecting the lives and health of Hong Kong residents.

China stressed that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and the German side's erroneous remarks on Hong Kong and the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong are a serious breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and gross violation of China's internal affairs.