Foreign secretary ‘deeply concerned’ about Hong Kong proposals

By Oliver Trapnell

Photo by Republic World

In a joint statement on Friday, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab expressed his concerns over China’s new proposed legislation for Hong Kong.

China’s proposed law would give Beijing’s security forces the power to operate in Hong Kong.

Mr Raab said: “The legally binding Joint Declaration, signed by China and the UK, sets out that Hong Kong will have a high degree of autonomy.

“Making such a law on Hong Kong’s behalf without the direct participation of its people, legislature or judiciary would clearly undermine the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, under which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy.”

The previously British controlled territory was handed back to China in 1997 and has seen a unique ‘One Country, Two Systems’ policy that has so far granted Hong Kong more freedoms than can be found on mainland China.

If the legislation passes, the autonomy of Hong Kong will be greatly diminished as it will allow Beijing to crack down on action Beijing deems subversive.

In the past China has used the charges of subversion, separatism, “acts of foreign interference” and terrorism, as ways to silence political opposition.

The proposal is set to be placed in front of China’s parliament next week and is likely to pass without opposition.

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, told reporters that the bill was in the interests of all Hong Kong residents.

However, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo urged China to reconsider its “disastrous” proposal as it would spell the end of Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The concerns raised on Friday were echoed by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne who have also spoken up about the policy.