中 英 '홍콩 시위' 관련 갈등 고조...홍콩 경찰 "입법회 점거시위•회의방해 혐의로 12명 체포"
Some of the UK's most prominent politicians have expressed support for the demonstrators in Hong Kong, who broke into and vandalized offices of the Hong Kong government in protest against a now-scrapped proposal to extradite Hong Kong people to mainland China.
These public statements by foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, and now Boris Johnson, have sparked a growing row between Beijing and the UK.
Hong Yoo reports.
Boris Johnson, the former London mayor and frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest and therefore favorite to become the next UK prime minister, said he supported the Hong Kong protesters.
In an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, he said he understands why they are skeptical about the controversial extradition bill... that the protesters are fighting to completely scrap.
"Yes I do support them and I will happily speak up for them and back them every inch of the way. And I would stress to our friends in Beijing that the one country, two systems approach has worked, is working and should not be cast aside."
Amid the escalating spat over Hong Kong, which Britain handed over to China in 1997, Beijing has told the UK to keep its hands off the territory.
On Wednesday, China's foreign ministry said it had lodged a diplomatic complaint with London,... denouncing Hunt as "shameless" for his warning of consequences if Beijing breached the Sino-British declaration.
The growing war of words follows a weeks-long protest over the controversial extradition bill.
Marking the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China,... protestors stormed Hong Kong's legislative council building on Monday,... vandalizing walls and hanging the old British colonial flag,... before they were dispersed by riot police.
Hong Kong police announced on Wednesday that they have arrested 12 people involved in the incident for offences such as the possession of offensive weapons and unlawful assembly.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
