OTTAWA (Reuters) - China’s embassy in Ottawa warned Canada on Sunday to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs a day after the country issued a joint statement with the European Union in defense of the “fundamental right of assembly” for Hong Kong citizens.
FILE PHOTO: Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland at a news conference following a meeting with Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, August 6, 2019.
Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters rallied peacefully in Hong Kong on Sunday in the 11th week of what have been often violent demonstrations in the Asian financial hub.
The Chinese embassy said in a statement on its website that Canada should “immediately stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs.”.
“Under the current situation, the Canadian side should be cautious on its words and deeds regarding the Hong Kong related issue,” the statement from an unnamed “spokesperson” for the Chinese embassy in Canada said.
“The relevant protests and demonstrations in Hong Kong have already deteriorated and evolved into extreme violence.
Canada has about 300,000 citizens living in Hong Kong, the ministry has said. »