Western allies say China broke HK deal by ousting lawmakers

The United States, Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand on Wednesday accused China of violating its legally binding international commitments by ousting pro-democracy lawmakers from Hong Kongࢀ™s legislature. The foreign ministers of the five allies said China was going against its 1984 promise that it would preserve autonomy in the financial hub after then British colonyࢀ™s handover in 1997. The removal of four opposition lawmakers triggered the en masse resignation of their remaining colleagues, the latest move in a deepening crackdown against Beijingࢀ™s critics following last yearࢀ™s huge and often violent democracy protests. ࢀœChinaࢀ™s action is a clear breach of…