UK lawmakers may visit Hong Kong as part of inquiry into Joint Declaration
Parliamentary inquiry into Sino-British Joint Declaration looking at pace of political and constitutional reform amid Beijing's asserting control
UK lawmakers may visit Hong Kong as part of a parliamentary probe of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, 30 years after it was signed - a move welcomed by pan-democratic heavyweight Martin Lee Chu-ming.
The inquiry - led by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which is made up of MPs from Britain's three main political parties - will also review London's relations with its former colony.
The committee said in a statement that Britain, a co-signatory of the joint declaration, "retains an enduring commitment to Hong Kong following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997".
British parliamentary officials are encouraging members of the public, including Hongkongers, to submit written evidence.
Part of the probe will focus on political and constitutional reform as Hong Kong moves towards universal suffrage.
The lawmakers will review the implementation of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, and the joint declaration in the spirit of offering "a high degree of autonomy and basic rights and freedoms for the people of the Hong Kong".
"It's possible the committee might want to visit Hong Kong to see for itself," a senior parliamentary source said.