No details to be released on Chinese consul call with Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill

Talks: Madame Zhang Meifang on the conference call with the NI leaders

Mark Bain Twitter Email

September 08 2020 06:58 AM

The Executive Office has refused to release details of a controversial video conference call between the First and deputy First Ministers and the Chinese consul general in Belfast, claiming it could harm relations between Northern Ireland and China.

It was reported that Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill told Madame Zhang Meifang they "understand and respect" Hong Kong's new security law imposed by China. They later said that reports from the meeting in July had misrepresented their views.

In July, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Hong Kong's security legislation "constitutes a clear and serious breach" of the Joint Declaration between Britain and China of 1984, violating "the high degree of autonomy of executive and legislative powers and independent judicial authority" for Hong Kong that had been agreed.

The new security laws, which give the Chinese state new powers over the city and sparked riots, have drawn widespread international condemnation.

Residents protest over Chinese Consulate wall built without planning permission

Mrs Foster said later her position on Hong Kong was the same as the UK Government's, while Ms O'Neill tweeted that she made it clear that she "supported the 'One Country, Two Systems' international agreement".

The Belfast Telegraph has since requested the minutes of their meeting, but has been told that the Executive Office will not disclose the information at this time.

"It is considered that the release of the minutes would be prejudicial to relations between the UK (NI) and China and is likely to be prejudicial to the interest of the UK (NI) abroad and the promotion of the UK (NI) abroad," it said.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the strong co-operation between China and Northern Ireland were among topics reportedly discussed.

Meanwhile, a protest is due to be held outside the Chinese Consulate on the Malone Road in south Belfast today against what residents say are unauthorised building works.

They say a new security wall has caused harm to the neighbourhood by not complying with planning conservation policy - although the Consul enjoys diplomatic immunity and cannot be prosecuted. Attempts to contact the Chinese Consulate last night were unsuccessful.