The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has urged Canada not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the city’s freedom was being suppressed. In a statement on Friday, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, the embassy said external forces should not make “irresponsible remarks”. “The so-called deep ties between Canada and Hong Kong cannot be a reason for Canada to interfere in Hong Kong affairs,” it said. The embassy said the efforts “will not shake China’s firm determination to fully and accurately implement one country, two systems and China’s safeguarding of national sovereignty.” (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-interfere-hong-kong-affairs-093000795.html) On Thursday, Joly said Canada had direct ties with Hong Kong, with an estimated 300,000 Canadians living in the city and more than 100 Canadian companies with a presence there. She said freedom of speech and peaceful expression of alternative views had been suppressed over the past two years with the imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong. “Canada urges the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong authorities to adhere fully to the one country, two systems framework set out in Hong Kong’s Basic Law, which also took effect 25 years ago,” she said.