Govt official slams DPP in Taiwan for interfering in Hong Kong affairs

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying (center). [Photo by PARKER ZHENG/chinadaily.com.cn]

A mainland spokesman on Monday slammed the Democratic Progressive Party, the ruling party of Taiwan, for interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks after the DPP voiced opposition to the arrest of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, an instigator of the Hong Kong riots, by Hong Kong police.

Lai and six others were arrested Monday morning on suspicion of breaching the national security law for Hong Kong.

The DPP authority and some political forces in the island on Monday expressed regret about the arrest, saying it has seriously undermined human rights, the rule of law, democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.

Ma said the DPP has interfered in Hong Kong's affairs for a long time, supported and incited the forces of violence, and viciously attacked the "one country, two systems" principle with the aim of seeking "independence" for Taiwan.

The Hong Kong SAR government dealt with the offenders in accordance with the law, which should not be interfered with by others. Any violation of the national security law in Hong Kong will be punished by law, he said.