(24 May 2024)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing – 24 May 2024
1. Wide of news conference
2. Wide of reporters
3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“The British side’s false accusations and behaviour trampled on the spirit of the rule of law. This is an act of political manipulation in the name of national security. It seriously infringed on the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the UK, gravely undermined China-UK relations, seriously violated the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, and badly harmed the image of the UK itself.”
4. Mid of reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“China strongly urges the British side to immediately rectify its wrongdoings, earnestly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the UK, and ensure the normal performance of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. China will take strong measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals and organizations abroad.”
6. Mid of reporters
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, and the U.S. is in no position to make such irresponsible remarks. The root cause of the tension in the Taiwan Strait is the Democratic Progressive Party’s intent to solicit U.S. support for independence and the U.S. scheme to contain China with Taiwan under the guise of maintaining regional peace and stability. If the U.S. truly wants to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it should explicitly observe the one-China principle and oppose Taiwan independence separatists. China by no means allows any force to provide umbrellas for the separatist activities of Taiwan independence forces under any excuse.”
8. Close of reporters
9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson:
“Taiwan independence is bound to a dead-end, and connivance at Taiwan independence will only draw fire against oneself. China’s determination and will to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity are unwavering, and it will take all necessary measures to resolutely crush any attempts at Taiwan independence.”
10. Wide of news conference
STORYLINE:
China decried the UK’s charges against three individuals, including a staff member of Hong Kong’s London branch, for allegedly assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service, as two of them appeared in court for a second hearing in London on Friday.
Chung Biu Yuen, the office manager of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, along with Chi Leung (Peter) Wai and Matthew Trickett, were charged earlier this month with agreeing to engage in information gathering, surveillance and acts of deception that were likely to materially assist the Hong Kong intelligence service from late 2023 to May 2.
Trickett was found dead in a park in Maidenhead, west of London, on Sunday afternoon.
“The British side’s false accusations and behaviour trampled on the spirit of the rule of law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said when asked about the case at a daily news briefing in Beijing.
“It seriously infringed on the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the UK, gravely undermined China-UK relations, seriously violated the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations, and badly harmed the image of the UK itself,” Wang stressed.
The spying charges came amid simmering tensions between Britain and China.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/15682b5897aa44feb06d100245121bf7
