UK Foreign Affairs committe considers probe on Sino-British ties: concerns about erosion of Hong Kong’s Basic Law
Hong Kong issues likely to come up, including the disappearance of Lee Bo and fears about the potential erosion of the city’s mini-constitution
A wide-ranging inquiry into the increasingly close economic relationship between Britain and China – and its implications for human rights – is being considered by an influential committee of Britain’s parliament.
In a move likely to raise the hackles of Beijing – and present a headache for British Prime Minister David Cameron – members of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) are expected to consider the proposal put forward by its chairman, Conservative MP Crispin Blunt.
Two years ago the same committee carried out a probe into UK-SAR relations 30 years after the signing of the Joint Declaration, which triggered an outcry in Beijing, and led to MPs being barred from entering the mainland and Hong Kong in an unprecedented row.
It also represents a possible ratcheting up of international focus on the case of bookseller Lee Bo, who is also a British citizen. Bo disappeared more than a week ago.
Analysts say the probe could span the two countries’ handling of trade and investment, human rights and Hong Kong affairs.
A Foreign Affairs Committee spokeswoman told the Sunday Morning Post: “The chairman – Crispin Blunt MP – is interested in proposing an inquiry to MPs which would look at the UK’s relations with China.