China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong hits back at US and EU for criticising arrest of Chow Hang-tung and others
“[The office] expresses strong disapproval and resolute opposition,” it added, referring to the US and European stances.
The US commission on Thursday wrote on its social media page that the arrests were “a contemptible violation of human rights and an attempt to stifle speech” ahead of the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square crackdown.
In an interview with French news agency AFP on Wednesday, a European Union spokesman said the arrests “seem to confirm” concerns about the new national security law and its effect on Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms.
The spokesman said the arrests suggested that “the new law is used to stifle freedom of expression” in the city, urging the authorities to “protect the ability of the people of Hong Kong to exercise their rights and freedoms”.
Seven people, including Chow, were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday for sedition over content they allegedly published on the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
The Post has learned that five of the arrestees have been granted bail. It was understood that one, arrested a day after the others, remained under investigation.
Chow is a former chairwoman for the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which previously organised June 4 vigils at Victoria Park to mark the crackdown.
She is currently on remand at Tai Lam Centre for Women for a separate offence.
The arrests are the first under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance enacted two months ago, with security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung saying the cases focused on allegedly seditious content posted on a Facebook group called “ChowHangTungClub” since April.
The commissioner’s office said Chow had long been “opposing China at every turn” and “jeopardising” national security, and “had not stopped” even after being detained.
“Chow and the others continuously published posts with seditious intent on social media, attempting to provoke citizens’ hatred against the central government and the Special Administrative Region government, and inciting internet users to organise or participate in unlawful activities,” it added.
“Some foreign forces have been acting ignorant and supporting anti-China disrupters. They have been interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal affairs, which seriously violated principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations.”
Additional reporting by Jess Ma