China calls for US invite Hong Kong chief to financial assembly, including to strains over crackdown

HONG KONG — The Chinese language authorities on Friday demanded america invite Hong Kong’s chief to an financial convention following a information report that Chief Government John Lee can be barred because of his position in crushing the town’s pro-democracy motion.

The battle threatens to complicate Washington’s efforts to revive relations which are at their lowest stage in many years because of disputes about safety, expertise, human rights and different irritants.

The Washington Publish, citing unidentified U.S. officers, stated Lee can be barred from the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation assembly in San Francisco in November because of sanctions imposed on him in 2020. Lee oversaw the crackdown as Hong Kong’s prime police official earlier than he was named chief govt final yr.

The US and different governments have accused Beijing of violating guarantees of autonomy and Western-style civil liberties after the previous British colony returned to China in 1997.

The international ministry demanded Washington raise the “unlawful and unreasonable” sanctions on Lee, which it known as “bullying that severely violates the essential norms of worldwide relations.” It accused Washington of “undermining the solidarity and cooperation” of the regional discussion board.

“We demand that the U.S. aspect instantly appropriate its flawed transfer, raise the sanctions towards the chief govt and different officers of the SAR, fulfil the due duty as APEC host, invite Chief Government John Lee Ka-chiu to the assembly,” stated a ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning.

Lee’s workplace in Hong Kong stated america is “obliged to fulfil its primary obligations as a bunch” and will comply with the same old APEC follow by inviting him.

“APEC conferences don’t belong to any nation or economic system,” the workplace stated in an announcement.

The Washington Publish cited U.S. officers as saying Hong Kong might ship one other consultant to APEC.

Washington has launched a flurry of diplomatic missions to revive dialogue suspended by Beijing, primarily over U.S. help for the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan, which the mainland’s ruling Communist Occasion claims as a part of its territory.

Officers together with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and local weather envoy John Kerry have traveled to China for conferences.

Chinese language officers have demanded concessions, together with adjustments in U.S. dealings with Taiwan, however have given given no indication Beijing would possibly change commerce, strategic or different insurance policies that irk Washington and China’s Asian neighbors and different buying and selling companions.

In a July 20 assembly with Henry Kissinger, a former U.S. secretary of state who has been utilized by Beijing to convey messages to Washington, Chinese language chief Xi Jinping stated each side have to make choices that might end in steady ties and joint success and prosperity.

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Related Press video producer Liu Zheng in Beijing contributed.