FM tells EU HKSAR’s handling of protests is lawful
By Li Bowen
People's Daily app
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China's foreign ministry told the European Union on Monday that the Hong Kong government's handling of protests is lawful.

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(Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang was responding to the inappropriate remarks on Hong Kong made by Federica Mogherini, EU's diplomatic chief, at a regular press conference.

Mogherini, who serves as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy within the EU, said that the situation in Hong Kong is "extremely worrying." She said Hong Kong authorities should "respect the freedom of assembly, expression, and association as well as the right of people to demonstrate peacefully."

"The ongoing protests in Hong Kong have turned into extreme and violent activities and gone beyond the freedom of assembly and demonstration. Hong Kong's rule of law and social order have been severely challenged,” Geng said. “The protests have threatened many Hong Kong residents' lives and property and violated the bottom line of "one country, two systems."

"If a similar turmoil occurs in Europe, we believe no European country will sit still," Geng said. "We hope that the EU can understand and support the HKSAR government's handling of the protests in accordance with the law of Hong Kong. The HKSAR government is working to maintain the rule of law, stability and prosperity of Hong Kong. "