G7 countries have urged China to end the “oppression” of democratic activists and honour their commitments after electoral damage in Hong Kong.
This comes after China forced sweeping changes to the city’s election system, reported AFP.
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In a statement released by the diplomats of France, Italy, Canada, Britain, Germany, the United States and the European Union said that they “call on China and the Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in Hong Kong’s political institutions and end the unwarranted oppression of those who promote democratic values.”
“Such a decision strongly indicates that the authorities in mainland China are determined to eliminate dissenting voices and opinions in Hong Kong,” the statement added.
The move follows the massive 2019 protests of Hong Kong which turned violent sometimes. Thousands of people took to the streets to protest against Beijing’s encroachment on the city’s unique freedoms.
On Thursday, Beijing’s rubber-stamp parliament passed reforms that said only “patriots” can run the city, which was guaranteed a separate system before Britain handed over control in 1997.
G7 further said, “The people of Hong Kong should be trusted to cast their votes in the best interests of Hong Kong. Discussion of differing views, not silencing of them, is the way to secure the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.”
China has ignored previous international warnings regarding Hong Kong. Last year they pushed through a draconian security bill used to detain activists.
