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China urges external forces not to meddle in HK affairs over Apple Daily closure remark
Updated 14:35, 24-Jun-2021
CGTN
Police escort Cheung Chi-wai, digital platform director, from the headquarters of Apple Daily newspaper and its publisher Next Digital Ltd., in Hong Kong, S China, June 17, 2021. /CFP

Police escort Cheung Chi-wai, digital platform director, from the headquarters of Apple Daily newspaper and its publisher Next Digital Ltd., in Hong Kong, S China, June 17, 2021. /CFP

The Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) on Wednesday urged the EU side to stop meddling in China's internal affairs after it accused Beijing of using the National Security Law to stifle Hong Kong's "press freedom and the free expression of opinions."

A European External Action Service (EEAS) statement made the accusation after Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily announced its closure on Wednesday afternoon.

The Chinese spokesperson denounced the EU remarks, saying it has openly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs and seriously violated international law and the basic principles of international relations.

"The action taken by the Hong Kong police against individuals and companies suspected of endangering national security is action to crack down on crimes in accordance with the law and to effectively maintain the rule of law and social order. It has nothing to do with freedom of the press," the spokesperson said.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR firmly opposes the groundless accusations some American politicians and organizations continued to heap upon the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's lawful actions against Apple Daily in violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson said on a statement on Thursday.

The small group of U.S. and Western politicians have continued to attack Hong Kong's national security law, smear the central government and the HKSAR government, and even threatened sanctions on the pretext of press freedom, trampling on the rule of law and judicial independence, according to the statement.

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