Chinese foreign ministry spokesman warns the Five Eyes partnership of consequences if it dares to harm China's sovereignty in Hong Kong. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China and that public officials must be loyal. Hong Kong, a city of 7.5 million people, was promised autonomy over local affairs for 50 years after its return to China in 1997. Zhao said Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China and that public officials must "be loyal to the motherland. The four disqualified lawmakers were earlier barred from running for reelection because of their calls for foreign governments to impose sanctions on China and Hong Kong.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 19, 2020 18:42 UTC