Hong Kong: Electoral Reforms

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The UK has a duty to protect Hong Kong's rights, including democratic institutions. The National People’s Congress proposals end democracy and violate the joint declaration. Previous promises of action have not been fulfilled. Free elections are being erased, and prominent members of the democracy movement are in jail. China behaves like a bully; does the Minister believe China will step back? Will sanctions be imposed on officials such as Carrie Lam and Xia Baolong, or taken to the International Court of Justice?

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Support for Caroline Wilson's efforts in championing media freedom and criticising Governments is expressed. Recent actions by the UK Government are welcome, especially welcoming British nationals overseas to correct a wrong made in 1984. Magnitsky sanctions should be implemented with names put to charges as this has gone on long enough.

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Questions BNO accessibility, Hong Kong's democracy threat, Chinese expansionism and Taiwan's security, nuclear infrastructure risks, UK-China audit, coordinated international response to China’s assaults on democracy and human rights. Also asks about Magnitsky sanctions.

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Congratulates the minister, criticises inaction on Hong Kong, asks about Magnitsky sanctions timeline.

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Constructively criticises the need for more concrete actions beyond words, asks about economic impact of potential sanctions.

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Asks about coordinated Magnitsky sanctions with Five Eyes countries, mentions US stance on Uyghur genocide.

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Expresses frustration over repeated lack of action, calls for immediate use of Magnitsky sanctions.

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What assessment has the Foreign Secretary made of the impact of the national security law and the further dismantling of human rights in Hong Kong on freedom of religion or belief, particularly in the light of the raid on Good Neighbour North District Church, the freezing of its bank account, and the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong’s instructions to clergy to be careful in their sermons? What implications does the proposed national security education curriculum have for FORB in faith schools there?

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What steps will the UK Government take to make it easier for students, academics and intellectuals to seek refuge in our democracy as the UK Government’s visa programme currently favours the richest in Hong Kong society?

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What steps are the Government taking in multilateral institutions to hold China to account for her actions, particularly with reported proposals to change Hong Kong’s electoral system?

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Will the Minister raise with the Chinese authorities cases of Lee Cheuk-yan, the general secretary of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, and Carol Ng, its former chair? What action do the Government intend to take against UK-based companies that have expressed support for the national security law?

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Does the Minister agree that there is an urgent need for a cross-departmental strategy for our engagement with China? If so, what specifically is he doing to take that forward?

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Does my hon. Friend agree that it is only through working with like-minded allies that we will be able to convey to China the international community’s concerns about the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong? Will the Minister ensure that those concerns are raised when we host the G7 later this year?

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Does the Minister share my assessment that it is inappropriate for UK-based financial institutions, such as HSBC, to have corporate sponsorship in the UK given their public support for the national security law? Does he agree that this support undermines the UK Government’s attempts to hold the Chinese Government to account?

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What steps is my hon. Friend taking to strengthen relations in the Indo-Pacific to combat Chinese aggression and the flouting of international law?

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How can the UK Government justify not suspending trade talks with China in response to its inability to live up to international treaty obligations? How can the Minister reassure the public that profit is not above human rights?

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Will my hon. Friend outline how his Department intends to properly hold China accountable for breaching the Sino-British joint declaration?

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Reinforced the welcoming of Hong Kongers under the BNO passport scheme and questioned the reluctance to use Magnitsky sanctions.

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Asked if China's behaviour in Hong Kong will affect its standing globally, particularly in Africa.

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Asked about delivering a coordinated international response with the US, EU and Indo-Pacific democracies regarding human rights in Hong Kong.

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Asked about discussions with Five Eyes allies regarding rights of abode for BNO status holders in other countries.

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Asked if senior Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses should be sanctioned through the Magnitsky legislation.

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Asked if China understands the breadth of international concerns regarding Hong Kong, and pushed for Magnitsky sanctions.

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Asked about the validity of China's claim regarding Hong Kong's Basic Law and its relation to the Sino-British joint declaration.

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Asked if they are reviewing critical infrastructure and supply chain links with China's economy.

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Asked about Government support for BNO passport holders and their integration into UK society.

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Asked about proposals by NPC contradicting UK-China commitments on Hong Kong's rights and freedoms.

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Will the Secretary of State outline what steps have been taken to co-ordinate with businesses in the financial sector so that they play their part in letting the Chinese Government understand that their continued acts of aggression will have financial consequences?

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Does the Minister accept that an estimated 250 to 300 former naval and military personnel are at particular risk as Hongkongers who served the British Crown, and will he discuss with the Home Office about granting them the right to come here now?