HONG KONG — A Chinese language diplomat accused the U.S. consul basic in Hong Kong of interfering in its affairs after he stated the town’s freedoms have been eroding and warned the American to not cross political “pink traces.”

Consul Basic Gregory Could gave a video handle final month wherein he expressed concern over diminished freedoms in Hong Kong and stated its popularity as a enterprise middle trusted adherence to worldwide requirements and the rule of regulation.

The Ministry of International Affairs Workplace in Hong Kong stated its commissioner Liu Guangyuan met with Could lately to specific objections to his “inappropriate” phrases and deeds.

“Liu additionally drew three pink traces for US consul basic and US consulate basic in Hong Kong, which isn’t to hazard China’s nationwide safety, to not interact in political infiltration in Hong Kong, and to not slander or harm Hong Kong’s improvement prospect,” his workplace stated in reply to inquiries from The Related Press.

Liu additionally urged Could to abide by diplomatic ethics, the workplace added.

The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

Could, in his handle to the U.S. Heart for Strategic & Worldwide Research, additionally cited a choice by China’s legislature that lets Hong Kong’s govt department determine whether or not international legal professionals will be concerned in nationwide safety circumstances within the metropolis.

The choice was made after the town’s prime court docket allowed pro-democracy writer Jimmy Lai to rent a British lawyer to signify him as he fights collusion expenses that would carry a life jail sentence if he’s convicted.

Liu’s workplace accused Could of slandering the rule of regulation and freedom in Hong Kong when he questioned the authorized choice made in Beijing and different adjustments in Hong Kong’s governance.

The U.S. and different democracies have been essential of China’s crackdown on political freedoms within the former British colony, which was handed again to China in 1997 with a promise by Beijing to maintain Western-style liberties below a “one nation, two methods” framework.

Hong Kong is amongst a raft of points which have despatched ties between Beijing and Washington to their lowest stage in years, together with expertise and commerce, human rights, threats towards Taiwan, and China’s claims within the South China Sea.