MNI POLICY: China Vows Support For Hong Kong Special Status

     BEIJING (MNI) - China opposes U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs and

supports the autonomous region's status as a separate customs zone and will

consolidate its leading position in international finance, trade and shipping,

Gao Feng, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

     The U.S. is violating WTO rules if it disregards international norms and

adopts unilateral measures based on its own domestic law, Gao said when asked to

comment on U.S. threats to revoke Hong Kong's special trade status. Hong Kong's

special status is protected by the Basic Law and recognized by countries around

the world, Gao added.

     - Gao also urged the UK to stand with China to jointly safeguard trade and

investment liberalization and oppose any form of protectionism amid the

coronavirus pandemic, when asked to comment the UK's move to form a 10-nation 5G

alliance to cut reliance on China's Huawei.

     --Other comments from the MOFCOM press briefing

     - Foreign capital has not fled from China and many MNCs are considering

expanding their industrial chains due to its stable business environment and

huge market, Gao said.

     - Average daily sales by key retailers monitored by MOFCOM increased by

4.8% by the end of May, compared with mid-May. Over 95% of retailers have

resumed operations as of June 1.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: wanxia.lin@marketnews.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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