John Baron MP speaks in emergency Hong Kong debate

MP says China is shooting itself in the foot

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee (FAC) is currently conducting an enquiry into the UK’s relations with Hong Kong 30 years after the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration – the agreement which led to the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The FAC was intending to visit Hong Kong later this month, but on Friday the Chinese Embassy announced Committee members would be refused visas.

Following this decision, the Chairman of the FAC, Rt Hon Sir Richard Ottaway MP, applied yesterday to the Speaker of the House of Commons for an emergency debate. This was granted, and the debate took place this afternoon.

In the Chamber, John said,

“The Sino-British Joint Declaration conveyed responsibilities on both signatories. By reneging on its obligations to respect the existing rights, freedoms and lifestyle of Hong Kongers, and refusing entry to our Committee, China has shot itself in the foot on the international stage.”

“But the UK also has moral responsibilities to do what it can to ensure the Chinese honour their treaty obligations. Given Chinese action in Hong Kong against protesters who are operating within the terms of the Declaration, the UK should be protesting more robustly. Instead, it has been too weak. Let us hope this changes before it becomes a dishonourable chapter in Britain’s history.”

Afterwards, John said,

“The Chinese have claimed that the Foreign Affairs Select Committee is part of Government. If they truly believe that I, or any other member of the Committee, is the mouthpiece of Government, then they have absolutely no idea how Parliament works.”