Britain urges China to ensure Hong Kong’s freedoms on joint declaration anniversary amidst protest turmoil
- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab affirms British view that handover treaty remains in force
- Date is largely overlooked in China which is coincidentally celebrating 20 years since return of Hong Kong’s neighbouring city of Macau
Dominic Raab’s statement reaffirmed Britain’s view that the declaration – which transferred the ex-colony to China in 1997 – is “a legally-binding international treaty that remains in force today”, since its registration with the United Nations in 1985.
The anniversary is largely overlooked in China, which has insisted the joint declaration is no longer valid since Hong Kong’s handover. Coincidentally, it also comes a day before the 20th anniversary of Macau’s handover from Portuguese rule, in 1999.
“The undertakings made by China, including the right to freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and the rule of law are essential to Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life,” Raab said.
“Hong Kong is experiencing its greatest period of turmoil since the handover. As a co-signatory of the joint declaration, the UK takes these commitments seriously and supports their implementation through the ‘one country, two systems’ framework,” he added.
The only way to guarantee Hong Kong’s future success and stability, Raab said, was by respecting those commitments, such as freedom of expression, and addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of Hong Kong through meaningful political dialogue.
China has not yet responded to Raab’s statement.