China summons U.S. envoy to protest U.S. remarks on HK extradition bill

China summoned a United States envoy in Beijing to a meeting on Friday to protest Washington's remarks about Hong Kong's extradition bill.

A view of Hong Kong [File photo: IC]

China's Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng summoned Robert Forden, the deputy chief of mission at the American embassy in Beijing, for a meeting at which he pointed out that Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. This means that affairs in Hong Kong are part of China's internal affairs, which no outsiders have the right to interfere in.

The vice foreign minister called on the United States to treat the amendments to Hong Kong law objectively and fairly, and to respect the normal legislative process in the territory. He also urged Washington to immediately stop interfering in the affairs of Hong Kong, and to stop taking actions that could harm the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

He added that China will make further response depending on the actions of the U.S. side.

The meeting with the American envoy comes after lawmakers in the United States proposed legislation on Thursday that would require an annual certification of Hong Kong's autonomy.

Protesters gathered around Hong Hong's Legislative Council on Wednesday morning before a scheduled debate on amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance. As a result of the protests, the debate was postponed.