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BEIJING (Reuters) – China has made "solemn declarations" in Germany after granting refugee status to two Hong Kong activists threatened by riots in the Chinese-ruled city, demanding that it correct its claims. mistakes, "reported Saturday the Xinhua official news agency.
According to Xinhua, the office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong on Friday summoned the Acting Consul General of Germany in Hong Kong, David Schmidt, for an emergency meeting, during which a representative expressed "deep dissatisfaction and resolute opposition".
The two activists in Hong Kong – Ray Wong, 25, and Alan Li, 27 – were former members of Hong Kong Indigenous, a group advocating Hong Kong's independence from China. They were charged with riots related to a demonstration that turned into violence in February 2016.
The couple, who then jumped on bail and fled to Germany in 2017 via Taiwan, told Reuters this week that he had obtained refugee status in Germany in May 2018.
"China asks the German side to recognize its mistakes and change course, not to accept and condone criminals, and to interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong and the internal affairs of China", said Xinhua.
The German consulate said this week that he knew that the two Hong Kong residents were staying in Germany, but could not provide details on individual cases.
Hong Kong activists have become increasingly provocative in recent years, worried about Beijing's creeping interference despite the promise of special autonomy for the city, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
Dozens of activists have been jailed for various charges, including contempt of court and public nuisance. Critics have said the Hong Kong authorities have made such accusations to stifle freedom of expression and badembly.
Hong Kong Executive Director Carrie Lam also expressed "deep regret and strong objections" to the German authorities.
Hong Kong authorities deny the persecution of activists.
(Report by Yawen Chen and Ben Blanchard, edited by Frances Kerry)
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