Brussels - China must respect Hong Kong's
autonomy, the European Union said on Tuesday, amid controversy
over Chinese plans to adopt a national security law for the
city.
"We attach great importance to the preservation of Hong
Kong's high degree of autonomy in line with the Basic Law and
international commitments," European Council President Charles
Michel, who represents European governments, said.
Speaking after a video conference with Japan's Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe, he said Europe and Japan "share the same
ideas" on China. "We are not naive about Chinese behaviour,"
Michel said.
He said Europe supported the "one country, two systems"
principle that governs Hong Kong's autonomy.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has proposed a security law that
would reduce Hong Kong's separate legal status and is expected
to be discussed by China's National People's Congress and
approved on Thursday.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the issue at a
regular meeting on Friday. A spokeswoman for the EU's executive
Commission said it was too early to say if the bloc would
consider sanctions against Beijing. Josep Borrell, the EU's
foreign policy chief, said on Monday that the EU needs a "more
robust strategy" for Beijing.