China blasts UK for granting asylum to Hong Kong activist Nathan Law

Chinese authorities have accused the UK of sheltering a “criminal suspect” after it granted asylum to Hong Kong activist and former politician Nathan Law. Law, who fled Hong Kong in 2020, said on Wednesday he had been granted political asylum by the Home Office and the warrant for his arrest under the Beijing-imposed national security law showed he was “exposed to severe political persecution”. At least 100 pro-democracy figures have been arrested under the law.

Figures released on Friday show more than 10,200 people have been arrested over the mass protests that swept Hong Kong in 2019.

On Thursday, Zhao Lijian, spokesman for China’s ministry of foreign affairs, said Law was a “criminal suspect wanted by the Hong Kong police”. “We firmly oppose the harbouring of criminals in any form by any country, organisation or individual,” Zhao said. “If the UK openly endorses those seeking Hong Kong independence and shelters wanted suspects, it will constitute gross interference in Hong Kong’s judicial affairs and a breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations.”

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