Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Hong Kong Opposition Lawmakers

Tuesday 24 November 2020 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Beijing's imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators constitutes a clear breach of the UK-China joint declaration.
  • This is only the third time the UK has judged a breach, and the second in six months.
  • The UK has suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended its arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Geraint Davies Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Four pro-independence opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong were recently disqualified by Beijing, causing concern over the UK-China joint declaration and Hong Kong's autonomy.

Question

What steps will the government take in response to the disqualification of four pro-independence lawmakers in Hong Kong? This comes after two breaches of the Sino-British joint declaration in six months.

Answer from Dominic Raab (Foreign Secretary)

Beijing's imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators constitutes a clear breach of the UK-China joint declaration. This is only the third time we have judged a breach, and the second in six months. China has once again broken its promises and undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide specific steps or plans to address the disqualification of lawmakers, focusing instead on acknowledging the breaches.

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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Following the disqualification of pro-independence lawmakers in Hong Kong, there is a need for further action such as implementing Magnitsky sanctions against Carrie Lam and measures to restrict financial ties between London and China via Hong Kong.

Question

As the Foreign Secretary noted, China has breached the Sino-British joint declaration twice in six months. When will Magnitsky sanctions be implemented against Chief Executive Carrie Lam? What steps are being taken to tighten capital flows into China through Hong Kong?

Answer from Dominic Raab (Foreign Secretary)

We have already made a new offer to British nationals overseas, suspended our extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong. On Magnitsky sanctions, this is not something we can decide at our fiat; we need evidence to back it up. We are assessing the situation with international partners. A statement was issued with Five Eyes Foreign Ministers condemning the latest move in relation to legislators, and 39 countries joined the UK in a UN Third Committee statement on Hong Kong as well as Xinjiang.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide a specific timeline for Magnitsky sanctions or concrete measures to restrict financial ties, focusing instead on general actions and statements made.

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