China protests US alert on Hong Kong security rules, urges no interference

BEIJING: China's top diplomat in Hong ​Kong has met the senior U.S. diplomat in the city to protest against a U.S. public ‌alert over ⁠new ⁠security rules in Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry ​said.

In a statement released late on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry's Hong Kong office said Commissioner Cui Jianchun met U.S. Consul General Julie Eadeh on March 27 and expressed "strong ⁠dissatisfaction and ‌firm opposition", urging Washington to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's ⁠internal affairs "in any form".

Also Read: China launches two 'reciprocal' probes into US trade practices


Hong Kong this ​month amended its enforcement rules for ​the national security regime, making it an offence in national security cases to refuse to provide passwords or other decryption assistance to access an electronic device.

In response to ‌the rule changes, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong issued a ​security alert ​on March ⁠26, calling for contact with the Consulate in case U.S. citizens are arrested or detained in connection ​with the new security enforcement rules.

Also Read: In veiled dig at US, Beijing says India and China's growth built on hard work, not due to foreign generosity

"We do not discuss the details of diplomatic engagements," a U.S. Consulate spokesperson said in response to a request for comment.