By Elishya Perera
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (CWBN)_ New Zealand Foreign Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, rebuked China’s warning on Five Eyes following claims of breach of Sino-China joint declaration.
The foreign ministers of five nations, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, known as the “Five Eyes intelligence sharing group”, issued a joint statement on Wednesday (Nov 18) claiming that China was in “clear breach” of the aforementioned joint declaration, as Beijing expelled four pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.
Subsequently, Beijing responded to the allegations saying that the Five Eyes “should face up to the reality” that Hong Kong has been returned to China.
“No matter if they have five eyes or 10 eyes, if they dare to harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, they should beware of their eyes being poked and blinded,” China’s Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
He added that the decision to disqualify the lawmakers was in line with the Constitution and the National Security Law of Hong Kong. He claimed that it was necessary to maintain the ‘one country, two systems’ approach. “This is legal and reasonable and cannot be challenged,” he said.
Earlier today, Mahuta said, “We are aware of the comments, and disagree with them.”
She further noted that she hoped Beijing understands New Zealand’s standpoint on democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of press, and insisted that Wellington would continue to uphold and promote “values and principles that define who we are” and operate as “a responsible member of the global community.”
Last week, four opposition lawmakers were expelled from Hong Kong’s Legislative Council after Beijing passed a resolution which permitted the pro-Beijing authorities in Hong Kong to sidestep courts and disqualify any legislative member who was considered a threat to the national security.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to China in 1997, along with an agreement, according to which China agreed to a “one country, two systems” approach, meaning Hong Kong was promised autonomy over local affairs until 2047.
Following the recent incident, the United Kingdom considers China to have breached the Sino-China agreement for the third time; the second being when Beijing imposed a national security legislation in Hong Kong in June this year.
