Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Hong Kong Update

13 July 2023 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Anne-Marie Trevelyan Con Berwick-upon-Tweed

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Anne-Marie Trevelyan raised concerns about hong kong update in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister for Exports and International Trade informed the House about arrest warrants and bounties issued by Hong Kong police against individuals exercising freedom of expression.
  • Some of the individuals mentioned now reside in the UK.
  • Hong Kong authorities have taken more aggressive actions, targeting family members and associates to intimidate those speaking out against oppression and rights erosion.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Anne-Marie Trevelyan

Last week, the Minister for Exports and International Trade informed the House of the issuance of arrest warrants and bounties by Hong Kong police against individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression. Some of these individuals now reside in the UK. Since then, more aggressive actions have been taken by Hong Kong authorities, including targeting family members and associates in an attempt to intimidate those who speak out peacefully against oppression and erosion of rights and freedoms. The UK has declared the national security law imposed on Hong Kong a breach of the Sino-British joint declaration. They introduced a bespoke visa route for British nationals overseas, suspended the UK-Hong Kong extradition treaty indefinitely, and extended an arms embargo to Hong Kong that applies to mainland China since 1989. The Minister reiterated their commitment to defending individuals in the UK from any form of intimidation or harassment by foreign powers, emphasising the threat this poses to democracy and fundamental human rights. The Foreign Secretary has called on the Hong Kong authorities to end targeting those who defend freedom and democracy but with no change observed so far. The UK will formally protest these actions at the Chinese ambassador’s level and continue to object to Beijing's national security law with the Chinese Government, which stifles opposition and criminalizes dissent. They have consistently made clear their objections to China’s breach of international obligations under the joint declaration and will uphold the right of freedom of expression for those in the UK. The Minister concluded by asserting that Hong Kong's future should respect fundamental freedoms, an independent judiciary, and the rule of law. The Government pledges to stand up for people in Hong Kong, call out rights violations, and hold China accountable.

Other contributors (11)
  • Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

    Question

    The shadow Minister thanked the minister for advance sight of her statement and condemned the Chinese Government’s actions as a breach of legally binding promises under the Sino-British agreement. She highlighted that Hong Kong's liberties and freedoms are being eroded, with repression increasing since the imposition of the national security law. She criticised recent moves by Beijing to harass and intimidate dissidents in Hong Kong, including targeting activists' families and engaging in espionage activities in the UK. The shadow Minister urged stringent and urgent action from the Government to protect Hongkongers seeking refuge in the UK and their families still in Hong Kong. She questioned whether the Government has considered sanctioning regimes that could counteract the increasing pressure on dissidents.

    Minister reply

    The minister thanked the hon. Lady for her support and acknowledged the concerning reports of political interference in the UK, including espionage activities. While she noted colleagues understand it is a matter of policy not to comment on operational security details, the Government takes these issues seriously. The integrity of arrangements being put into place for the safety of individuals must be maintained to prevent compromising their security.

  • Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

    Question

    The MP questioned the delay in the Foreign Office's response to recent developments in Hong Kong, expressing concern over the safety of Hongkongers seeking refuge in the UK and calling for sanctions on Chinese officials. He also asked about blocking Interpol red notices and protecting British citizens with joint nationality.

    Minister reply

    The Minister stated that while she cannot speculate on future sanctions to avoid reducing their impact, the Government continues to review potential designations. She confirmed that consular access has been raised for Jimmy Lai but acknowledged challenges under the Vienna Convention.

  • Martyn Day SNP Inverness West, Glen Urquhart

    Question

    The MP welcomed the UK's calls to withdraw bounties on Hong Kong activists and expressed concerns over the stress these individuals face due to threats against their families. He also asked about prosecution of those taking up bounties in the UK and cooperation with Australia and the US on an Interpol early warning system.

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirmed that the Government condemns the issuance of bounties, which have no authority or validity in the UK. She stated that they will work with international partners to address these issues through forums where sanctions can be applied.

  • Tim Loughton Con East Worthing and Shoreham

    Question

    The MP criticised the Government for missing opportunities to condemn China's actions, particularly regarding the sanctioning of Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Hong Kong. He also raised concerns over the Intelligence and Security Committee’s conclusion that the UK lacks a strategy to address Beijing’s threats.

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledged the bravery of MPs sanctioned by the Chinese Government and stated that she will read the ISC's report and assess statements made. She emphasised that the UK raises objections regarding China's national security law at every opportunity.

  • Sarah Owen Lab Luton North

    Question

    The MP questioned why the Government has not met with Hong Kong activists Nathan Law and Finn Lau, expressing shock over this inaction. She also asked about additional practical steps to protect Hongkongers in the UK from further targeting by Beijing.

    Minister reply

    The Minister reiterated the importance of protecting freedom but declined to discuss specific measures or meetings with British nationals overseas due to potential compromise on the integrity of support provided.

  • Bernard Jenkin Con Harwich and North Essex

    Question

    My right hon. Friend will know that I have long taken an interest in strategic thinking in Government, where there is widely perceived to be a lack of capability and consistency. That is underlined by the ISC report that came out today. It states: 'While we sought to examine whether the Government’s strategy for dealing with such a large adversary was up to the task, they”—that is, all the witnesses—“felt very strongly that HMG did not have any strategy on China, let alone an effective one, and that it was singularly failing to deploy a ‘whole-of-government’ approach when countering the threat from China—a damning appraisal indeed.’ Will the Minister contribute to the Liaison Committee’s inquiry into the scrutiny of national strategy and strategic thinking of Government, which we are now undertaking?

    Minister reply

    I thank my hon. Friend for his comments. As I say, over the weekend, I will read in detail the report from a Committee that always has a depth of wisdom, because it includes those who have spent many years in this House and who understand the workings of our democracy and Parliament. We will continue to work with it, but I dispute that there is not clarity. The Foreign Secretary’s speech at Chatham House a few months ago set out a very clear framework around protecting our assets, aligning our interests where we can, engaging on many issues—many of which will be beyond our borders—and working together on issues such as development and climate change challenges. That was very clear. The integrated review refresh, which was published a couple of months ago, set out in more detail what that means. We have a clear direction of travel in which we are very comfortable working, and the whole of Government is aligning around that to deliver positives, where necessary, and to protect UK interests as required.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Question

    This is indeed a sorry state of affairs. The hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) reminded us that the Government said last week: 'we will not tolerate any attempts by the Chinese authorities to intimidate individuals in the UK.'—[Official Report, 6 July 2023; Vol. 735, c. 946.] May I press the Government a little further on what specifically we are doing, or have done? For instance, what discussions has the Foreign Office had with Five Eyes and, possibly, European partners regarding the cancellation of extradition treaties with Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China, and the proper establishment of a safe corridor for pro-democracy activists overseas? We need to get to the core of this issue.

    Minister reply

    The Government and those from the FCDO more widely have discussions with our Five Eyes partners on a regular basis about all these matters, as the House would expect. As I say, on a domestic level, I would not want to put any of those we are looking to provide protection for at risk. Obviously, the Home Office deals with all those matters on a domestic level. On the extradition treaties, there are, I think, only two European countries that have not suspended their extradition treaty with Hong Kong. Others have, and we continue always to lobby, across all our posts and in our discussions, for other countries to ensure that they also hold China to account for the national security law.

  • Robin Walker

    Question

    Hongkongers make a contribution to communities up and down the UK, including in my constituency. It is outrageous that they should face any intimidation from the Chinese Government. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the conversations that there have been about Chinese overseas police service stations in this country? That has been raised in the House before. Does she have a categorical assurance that they are no longer functioning in the UK?

    Minister reply

    I thank my hon. Friend for his questions. The reports of undeclared police stations in parts of the UK were very concerning and were taken very seriously, because any foreign country operating on UK soil must always abide by UK law. The police have done a substantial amount of work and have examined those allegations. They have not, to date, identified any evidence of illegal activity, but none the less, these so-called police service stations were established without our permission. Their presence, whatever the low level of administrative activity they were performing, has worried and intimidated many who have left China and sought safety here in the UK. We have made it clear to the Chinese authorities that the existence of undeclared sites in the UK is unacceptable and that their operation must cease. The Chinese authorities have confirmed that they have now been closed.

  • Alex Sobel Lab Co-op Leeds Central and Headingley

    Question

    I recently met the Leeds Hong Kong community, who raised a number of concerns about their personal safety and security, as well as research by Hong Kong Watch estimating that more than £2.2 billion of Hongkongers’ pension savings has been detained by the Hong Kong Government, including funds held by UK-headquartered HSBC. What work has been done to ensure that pensioners, including BNOs and British citizens, regain their pensions from HSBC? Have the Government considered imposing fines on HSBC for non-compliance?

    Minister reply

    We are aware of the difficulties that BNOs are experiencing in seeking the early withdrawal of their pensions, which are held by the Mandatory Provident Fund in Hong Kong. We have urged the Hong Kong authorities to facilitate the early drawdown of those funds, especially for Hong Kong residents who have moved overseas permanently. The challenge, and the root of the problem, comes from the Chinese Government’s decision not to recognise the BNO passport, thereby creating the clear discrimination against BNOs. I have raised this matter personally with the Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services. The Foreign Secretary has raised it in his discussions as well, and we will continue to do that. I have spoken with banks that are contained by those laws in that jurisdiction.

  • John McNally

    Question

    Threatening the families of Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigners living in the UK is beyond reprehensible, but we know that the Chinese Government are sending out warnings. Will the Minister explain to me what the Chinese Government are so afraid of?

    Minister reply

    The challenge we are seeing—the bounties placed on those who have chosen to seek safety here in the UK in order to continue using their voice to express their concerns—is something that the Chinese authorities wish to pursue. We condemn absolutely, and will continue to do so, their use of those tools. They have no validity here in the UK, and we will continue to raise the threatening behaviour that has been seen towards the family members of those who are here in the UK for their safety. When the Foreign Secretary’s senior official meets the Chinese ambassador, these issues will be raised very clearly.

Shadow Comment

Catherine West

The shadow Minister thanked the minister for advance sight of her statement and condemned the Chinese Government’s actions as a breach of legally binding promises under the Sino-British agreement. She highlighted that Hong Kong's liberties and freedoms are being eroded, with repression increasing since the imposition of the national security law. She criticised recent moves by Beijing to harass and intimidate dissidents in Hong Kong, including targeting activists' families and engaging in espionage activities in the UK. The shadow Minister urged stringent and urgent action from the Government to protect Hongkongers seeking refuge in the UK and their families still in Hong Kong. She questioned whether the Government has considered sanctioning regimes that could counteract the increasing pressure on dissidents.

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