International
Missing book sellers: China hits back at UK for interference
China has hit back at the UK for comments made about the arrest and detention of a Hong Kong bookseller accusing the former colonial power of interfering in Chinese domestic matters.
Britain on Friday released a report describing the disappearance of Lee Bo, who holds a British passport and published books critical of Chinese politics, as a “serious breach” of an agreement signed with Beijing before Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.
Read also: China frees Swedish rights activist
Those were Britain’s strongest comments yet on the case that has rocked Hong Kong, with growing fears that freedoms are being eroded in the semi-autonomous city.
But Beijing has strongly criticised Britain for its comments claiming London was making “groundless accusations against China”.
“Hong Kong affairs are China’s domestic affairs,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement.
“We ask the British side to mind its words and actions and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs.”
It could be recalled that four other booksellers from the Hong Kong-based Mighty Current publishing house also disappeared months ago and were later confirmed to be under investigation by Chinese authorities.
Questions are now being asked about the whereabouts of 65 year-old Lee who went missing last December.
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