To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the government of China (1) the jailing of political protestors, (2) restrictions on free speech, (3) the abduction of booksellers who supply titles critical of China’s rulers, (4) the banning of a political party, and (5) the expulsion of a senior Financial Times journalist, Victor Mallet, in Hong Kong.
Answered on
16 April 2019
The British Government takes extremely seriously our longstanding duty to uphold the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We will continue to monitor closely events in Hong Kong, speaking publicly on issues of concern. We have raised a number of concerns with the Chinese and Hong Kong SAR Governments, including the banning of the Hong Kong National Party, the refusal of Victor Mallet's visa renewal, the abduction of the booksellers, and wider concerns about the erosion of rights and freedoms, including the right to free speech, guaranteed by the Joint Declaration.
The Six Monthly Reports to Parliament contain a detailed analysis of developments, and clearly sets out where we have concerns.