EU accuses China of dealing ‘severe blow’ to Hong Kong freedom and seeks immediate reinstatement of lawmakers

Germany says removal of pro-democracy opposition members is the latest step in a ‘deeply worrying’ trend aimed at undermining pluralism
British foreign minister Raab says Beijing’s moves do not merely curb freedoms in Hong Kong but also tarnish China’s international reputation

Hong Kong national security law (NSL)

Stuart Lau

Published: 9:19pm, 12 Nov 2020

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The European Union has accused China of dealing a “severe blow” to Hong Kong’s political freedom hours after nearly all pro-democracy lawmakers in the local legislature resigned en masse following the removal of four of their colleagues by Beijing’s decree.

In a declaration unanimously approved by all 27 members on Thursday, the EU called for the “immediate reinstatement of the Legislative Council members” as well as the “immediate reversal” of the decisions made by the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities.

The EU’s statement came a day after the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, empowered the local government in Hong Kong to disqualify lawmakers deemed to be advocating Hong Kong independence, colluding with foreign forces or threatening national security – without having to go through the courts.

Four opposition lawmakers were removed by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and the remaining 15 opposition lawmakers said they would all resign in protest.

“These latest steps constitute a further severe blow to political pluralism and freedom of opinion in Hong Kong,” the EU said in a statement. “This latest arbitrary decision from Beijing further significantly undermines Hong Kong’s autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, contrary to China’s international commitments.”

Hong Kong officials can now oust lawmakers. How do other places do it?

The latest developments will be taken into account when the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, releases an assessment next month to keep track of Hong Kong’s situation in response to the introduction in June of the national security law in the city.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Photo: AP

In July, the EU adopted a coordinated package of measures, including limiting exports of specific sensitive equipment and technologies for end-use in Hong Kong, in particular where there are grounds to suspect undesirable use relating to “internal repression, the interception of internal communications or cyber surveillance”.

It was also exploring ways to step up asylum, new visa schemes and scholarships for Hongkongers, which could be revised by the end of the year.

Germany, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, also criticised China for the dismissal of the pro-democracy opposition lawmakers from the Hong Kong legislature.

A German foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday the decision to remove four opposition lawmakers was the latest step in a “deeply worrying” trend that was aimed at undermining pluralism and freedom of expression.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. Photo: AFP

The British government on Thursday summoned the Chinese ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, to the Foreign Office, the BBC reported.

What is the Sino-British Joint Declaration?

In a statement, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain would work with other countries to hold China to its obligations.

“Beijing’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong constitutes a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration,” Raab said.

“The UK will stand up for the people of Hong Kong, and call out violations of their rights and freedoms. With our international partners, we will hold China to the obligations it freely assumed under international law.”

A day earlier, Raab had described Beijing’s move as a “further assault on Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and freedoms”.

“This campaign to harass, stifle and disqualify democratic opposition tarnishes China’s international reputation and undermines Hong Kong’s long-term stability,” he said.

The US, Canada and Australia have also weighed in, with the US national security adviser Robert O’Brien threatening to sanction the officials responsible.

The disqualifications and opposition walkouts are likely to add to concern in the West about Hong Kong’s autonomy as Joe Biden prepares to take over from Donald Trump as US president, promising to promote democracy around the world.

China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office condemned the resignations by the opposition lawmakers as “a blatant challenge to the central government’s authority”.

“We would like to warn these opposition members that if they want to use this to encourage radical resistance and beg for intervention from outside forces to drag Hong Kong into chaos again, that is a wrong calculation,” the office said in a statement.

Chinese state media hailed the NPC’s resolution as a “long overdue” step towards “the return of peace and prosperity” in Hong Kong. It also stressed the need for the city to be “governed by patriots”.

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