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Pro-democracy Campaigners Arrests 2025-01-07
07 January 2025
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 24
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about pro-democracy campaigners arrests 2025-01-07 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the concerns over the Hong Kong police offering rewards for the arrest of pro-democracy campaigners, including British nationals resident in the UK? The issue is urgent as it threatens the safety and freedoms of those individuals. It raises serious questions about the UK's response to such coercive actions.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Question
What practical steps are being taken across the government to protect those in the UK with bounties on their heads and assess security? Will the Foreign Secretary raise this issue with his counterpart, Wang Yi, before a planned visit by the Chancellor to China?
Minister reply
The Government is working to ensure the safety of pro-democracy campaigners based in the UK. The Ministry has raised concerns with Chinese representatives and continues to provide support through regional hubs established under previous policy. The Chancellor's trip will balance economic interests with national security concerns.
John McDonnell
Ind
Hayes and Harlington
Question
Will the Government raise the case of Carol Ng, a Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions general secretary imprisoned for four years, both to secure her release and family access?
Minister reply
The Minister is willing to meet and write regarding updates on Carol Ng's case. Regular briefings from consular staff in Hong Kong are provided to the Government.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Question
Will the Minister meet Carmen Lau, a former district councillor now based in the UK, to assure her of support? Can anyone bounty hunting in the UK be prosecuted under existing laws? Will sanctions be used against those responsible for targeting pro-democracy activists?
Minister reply
The Minister would welcome meeting Ms. Lau again and raising her case with consular staff in Hong Kong. On prosecution, current laws apply to such activities. Sanctions are not ruled out but balance is needed due to economic dependencies.
Blair McDougall
Lab
East Renfrewshire
Question
At what point will consequences be applied for imprisoning pro-democracy campaigners and escalating transnational repression? Will senior Ministers stop visiting Beijing, and are British nationals with bounties being given specific security advice?
Minister reply
The Government continues to raise concerns regarding these issues. Specific advice on security is provided through regional hubs and consular services.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Question
The Minister should not take what I am about to say personally: no matter who is in government, I have been in opposition on this issue, and I continue to be so. I remind her that these seven pro-democracy campaigners, who now have a bounty on their heads, are just the latest act of a Chinese Communist party that does not care what countries like the UK say... America has sanctioned a large number of Chinese officials at the highest level in Hong Kong. No British Government have so far sanctioned a single person for any of the abuses that have taken place. Will she now say to the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister that we must sanction people for what they do to abuse British citizens and those we welcome here? Until we do that, we will not be taken seriously.
Minister reply
I fully accept that, as a sanctioned MP, the right hon. Gentleman is very concerned... We have raised through officials—this happened only on Christmas eve—the concerning example of transnational repression. That is an ongoing discussion.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
What representations have been made to the Chinese Communist party’s ambassador here in London on the consequences of a third round of bounties targeting democracy activists, including British nationals and BNOs, here on British shores?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is quite right to raise that issue. He will be aware, from the Foreign Secretary’s statement, that it is being taken extremely seriously... We have a high-profile visit next week. Our officials are in regular contact with Chinese officials who have their embassy here in the UK.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
No one should be surprised, as I have said before, when a communist totalitarian state behaves like a communist totalitarian state... Every time a senior British politician—be it the Prime Minister or the Chancellor—is going on a visit to the Chinese, something particularly egregious is done. That suggests to me that they are trying to rub our noses in it, and that they are not interested or concerned about anything we say on human rights abuses.
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman can obviously read his coffee cup granules or tea leaves better than I can... I share his view that we need to understand more.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
I welcome the Minister’s statement and her robust words, and her outstanding disagreement when it comes to China’s approach to protecting UK people on our soil... What can we do to protect people here on UK soil further? What discussions has she had with her Home Office counterparts to ensure that UK police forces fully understand the seriousness of the threats to Hongkongers’ safety on UK soil?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her thoughtful comments and her support... It is much more difficult in this day of social media, but we will redouble our efforts to train law enforcement officers, local government and teachers.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
I agree with the Minister that the UK-China relationship is necessary, but she will know that it is complicated and often conflicted... I have two simple questions for the Minister. First, are the security services resourced enough to counter the increased threat? Secondly, are Hongkonger political dissidents safe on the streets of Britain?
Minister reply
The right hon. Member asks two excellent questions. The first concerns training and capabilities... I can tell the right hon. Member that BNO passport holders are safe because we keep them safe.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Question
Chloe Cheung, a resident of Leeds, has been subject to a £100,000 bounty simply for telling the truth about Jimmy Lai. At 19 years old, she is the youngest person to be subject to Hong Kong’s national security law... What reassurances can the Minister give Chloe and other Hongkongers that they will be protected from transnational repression while they reside within our borders?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his excellent constituency work, and for knowing his constituents so well such a short time after being elected... I can reassure him that if he feels that the advice that his constituent has been given is in any way lacking, he can write to me so that I can secure a specially designed package of safety.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
How far are the Government prepared to go before the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland decides to push back in relation to this issue?... The Government must step up and protect our citizens.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Member for relentlessly raising in the House the issue of human rights and the concerns of his constituents... It has a hard edge to it as well: it is linked with community policing, so that we can be absolutely sure that no one here in the UK is afraid for their safety owing to intimidation from a Government many miles away.
Catherine West
Con
Milton Keynes North
Question
Could you approach your constituent to check that they have the required safety package and inform the police about this case?
Minister reply
Yes, I will ensure my constituent receives necessary support and that the case is reported to the relevant authorities.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
Question
Does addressing concerns of Hongkongers in Britain send a strong message about supporting their freedoms?
Minister reply
Addressing these concerns sends a clear message that we value our Hong Kong citizens and work to support their rights. We will continue to be welcoming while also ensuring safety for everyone.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
Will Beijing's actions against BNOs be scrutinised as part of the Government’s China audit?
Minister reply
Yes, we will look at specific issues related to BNO visa holders in our China audit and provide updates on this.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Question
Will Ministers introduce updated measures showing how they see themselves defending democracy in the UK?
Minister reply
We will maintain a focus on national security, human rights, and economic interests without compromising our values or engaging in unnecessary provocations.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
How many Hong Kong officials have we sanctioned?
Minister reply
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office is still functioning here, but we keep all issues under review. I met representatives from Beijing in November without cringing or compromising.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
Question
Why should trade balance determine our response to human rights abuses?
Minister reply
Our foreign policy balances national security, human rights, and economic interests without sacrificing any of these pillars.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Why are the Government potentially facilitating China's reach by handing over Chagos islands?
Minister reply
We comply with international court decisions, including those related to the United Nations convention on the law of the sea.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Question
Is the national security law for Hong Kong in conflict with article 23 and a clear breach of the Sino-British joint declaration?
Minister reply
We push back on the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong by highlighting fundamental rights and maintaining dialogue.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Question
Will you make it clear to China that arrest warrants are illegal and prosecute individuals engaging in such practices?
Minister reply
We will maintain our flexibility on Magnitsky sanctions and continue to look at ways to use tools within the regime to stand up for international human rights.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
What oversight is there by the Foreign Office of devolved institutions’ connections with China?
Minister reply
We could do more, and if specific examples are provided, we can challenge our officials to come up with a more robust, joined-up approach.
Bobby Dean
LD
Carshalton and Wallington
Question
Is it time to raise voices more loudly and cancel the Chancellor’s visit to Beijing?
Minister reply
We will continue to raise concerns during visits but consider the impact of such actions on broader diplomatic relations.
Tom Gordon
LD
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Question
With the latest arrest warrants and transnational repression, what tangible steps will this Government take to get the message down to people on the ground that we will support Hong Kong residents?
Minister reply
We have set up 12 hubs specifically for BNO passport holders in 2021. We are keen to extend friendship and continue our welcome programme. I will write back with more information after receiving specific constituency issues.
Government Response
The Foreign Secretary issued a statement on Christmas Eve in response to the Hong Kong police issuing arrest warrants for six pro-democracy campaigners, emphasising that those targeted were exercising their right to freedom of expression. The Government is calling on Beijing to repeal the national security law and urging Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting individuals abroad who are seeking to exercise basic rights. Senior British diplomats have reassured the UK's pro-democracy community about the government’s commitment to protecting them, while officials in London have raised concerns directly with Chinese representatives. The Government remains committed to supporting all members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK under the BNO route.
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