Six-Monthly Report to Parliament on Hong Kong: July-December 2017
The UK Government published its latest Six-Monthly Report to Parliament on Hong Kong, covering developments from 1 July to 31 December 2017
The report covers a broad range of political and economic developments and an overview of UK-Hong Kong bilateral activity over the reporting period.
Writing in his foreword the Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP says:
‘One Country, Two Systems’ remains the fundamental basis which will ensure that Hong Kong’s success continues well into the future” and
I believe it is vital that Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy is and is seen to be respected in full, allowing the people of Hong Kong and its authorities to tackle important issues for themselves, in accordance with the Joint Declaration.
The Foreign Secretary writes that
‘One Country, Two Systems’ generally functions well. However the increasing pressure I described in the foreword of my last six-monthly report has continued in the second half of 2017 and where we have seen this, we have consistently raised our concerns with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities.
I paid close attention to the denial of entry to Hong Kong of Ben Rogers, the UK national and human rights activist, in October and issued a statement expressing my concern and our intent to seek an explanation from the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Chinese authorities. Beijing’s involvement in this case has strengthened our view that Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy is under increasing pressure.
On the subject of co-location, the Foreign Secretary calls
on the Chinese and Hong Kong SAR Governments to ensure that the established constitutional framework for any change to the Basic Law is respected to ensure continued confidence in the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle.
On the rule of law, the Foreign Secretary says
The rule of law and independence of the judiciary is the foundation on which Hong Kong’s success and prosperity is built. This reporting period has seen a large number of cases related to the political system come before Hong Kong’s courts, including the disqualification of a further four legislators. The judiciary in Hong Kong remains in high esteem. It will be vital that the Hong Kong SAR Government is seen to use the system of justice fairly in all cases.
Further information
Read the report in full: Six monthly report on Hong Kong: July to December 2017
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