By Grace Udofia
Officials of the Peoples Republic of China have accused President of the United States, Joe Biden of interfering in its internal affairs by offering temporary refuge which it described as “safe haven” to Hong-Kong residents in the US.
President Biden had in a Memorandum of Understanding directed the Department of Homeland Security to implement a “deferral of removal” for up to 18 months for Hong Kong residents presently in the US, meaning that they can live and work in the country for the said duration.
However, in a statement by China’s foreign ministry in Hong Kong, it described the offer as a smear on China, as well as a move to destroy the city’s property and stability as well as whittle down the semi-autonomous city and central government in Beijing.
The decision of the United States comes in direct response to Hong Kong’s sweeping new national security law and other measures that undercut the rights promised when the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997.
Parts of the statement reads, “Mr Biden’s move slandered and smeared Hong Kong’s national security law, nakedly intervened in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and blatantly trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations.
“The US was weaving lies and slandering Hong Kong’s national security laws, blatantly beautifying the anti-China chaos in Hong Kong, and presumptuously offering the so-called ‘safe haven”.
Recall that for some time now, China and the US have been at odds over a range of foreign policy and trade issues.
“It is a vain attempt to stigmatise Hong Kong, stigmatise China, and stop at nothing to undermine Hong Kong through petty actions,” it added.
The people of Hong Kong and China would respond to such “shameless political manipulation” which is “doomed to failure”.
