A Chinese official told foreign media in Hong Kong yesterday that China has seen interference in the city’s pro-democracy protests from outside forces and called on international journalists to report “objectively.”
“Since the occurrence of this event, from the statements and the rhetoric and the behaviour of the outside forces of political figures, of some parliamentarians and individual media, I think such a kind of interference certainly exists,” the official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It was the first time since the demonstrations, which China and the Hong Kong government have called illegal, that an official from the central government has met foreign media in Hong Kong and made such a request.
Hong Kong, governed under a “one country, two systems” model, is supposed to have a high degree of autonomy, including freedom of the press and speech, though rights and media groups have warned in recent years the situation had worsened.
“We hope the outside world will respect one country, two systems, will respect the Hong Kong SAR government to deal with the situation in accordance with the law and does not send any wrong signal to this unlawful activity,” the official added.
Hong Kong is officially a Special Administrative Region of China.