Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, has called for the First and deputy First Ministers to urgently clarify their remarks where the Chinese Consulate has claimed that they ‘understand and respect’ Hong Kong`s draconian new security laws.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:
“The First Minister and deputy First Minister need to urgently clarify their remarks about their apparent support for the Chinese Government’s oppression of fundamental rights in Hong Kong. It is equally surprising that both Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill have done this counter to the strong position taken by Dominic Rabb, Simon Coveney and even the EU in criticising the abuse of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong.
“In clarifying their position they could also add to the calls for the Chinese Communist Party to stop oppressing the Uighur people, although the impression they both now give is that the Executive Office is fully in the thrall of China. That may be understandable from Sinn Fein, with its support of oppressive dictatorial regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, Iran and beyond, but it’s less understandable from a Unionist leader.”