Japan wants to take lead for G7 statement on Hong Kong: Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan wants to take a lead in issuing a statement based on the 'one nation, two systems' in Hong Kong. PHOTO: REUTERS

TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan wants to take the lead among Group of Seven nations on issuing a statement about the situation in Hong Kong, where China has imposed a new security law, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday (June 10).

"Obviously, we acknowledge the G7 has a mission to lead the global public opinion and Japan wants to take a lead in issuing a statement based on 'one nation, two systems' in Hong Kong,"Abe told parliament.

Japan had already issued a statement independently, expressing serious concern about Beijing's move on May 28 - the day China approved a resolution to draft the national security law for Hong Kong - and called in the Chinese ambassador to convey its view.

Tokyo is in a sensitive situation regarding US-China tensions over Hong Kong, as it plans for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, originally set for April but postponed over the coronavirus outbreak.

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