China summons German ambassador over Hong Kong activist

BERLIN

China has summoned Germany's ambassador to protest German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s meeting with Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, a senior diplomat said on Wednesday.

Wu Ken, Chinese ambassador to Berlin, told reporters that Beijing has conveyed its "strong dissatisfaction" with Germany’s decision to allow Joshua Wong to enter the country, and the foreign minister’s contact with him.

The ambassador also warned that this move would have "negative consequences" for relations between China and Germany.

He criticized German politicians for turning a blind eye to the violence committed by some of the Hong Kong protestors, describing them as "radicals" and "separatists".

"I would like to underline that Hong Kong belongs to China, issues related to Hong Kong are China's internal affairs. China’s sovereignty and its security should be respected," he said.

Joshua Wong, secretary general of the pro-democracy group Demosisto, arrived in Berlin on Monday to attend an event organized by Bild daily, which brought together prominent political and civil rights activists from all over the world.

During the event, he also met Maas, a Social Democrat politician known for his support for political activists.

Wong’s call for Germany

Joshua Wong on Wednesday called on Germany to do more to pressure China by suspending trade talks and halting exports of weapons and equipment.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, he accused China of repression and said the police used excessive force during recent protests.

"The protests in Hong Kong are not likely to stop because we are still fighting for fundamental rights and democracy," he said.

Wong told reporters that during his meeting with Maas on Monday, he brought up their expectations of Germany, including suspending trade talks and halting exports of weapons and equipment that police could use against protestors.

"I made the specific demand to urge them, send a clear message to President Xi Jinping, that sending troops to Hong Kong, or execute emergency order is not a way out," he said.

The 22-year-old activist said that following his meetings in Berlin, he will travel to the U.S. later this week.