The UK, Australia and Canada have said they are “deeply concerned” by China’s proposed national security legislation for Hong Kong which could undermine the one country, two systems principle.
The three countries issued a joint statement on Friday after China's ruling Communist Party announced it wants to clamp down on dissent in Hong Kong by introducing a national security law.
Pro-democracy activists say the move to ban "treason, secession, sedition and subversion" will destroy Hong Kong’s autonomy.
In a joint statement, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Australian foreign affairs minister Marise Payne and Canadian foreign minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said: “We are deeply concerned at proposals for introducing legislation related to national security in Hong Kong.
“The legally-binding joint declaration, signed by China and the UK, sets out that Hong Kong will have a high degree of autonomy.
“It also provides that rights and freedoms, including those of the person, of the press, of assembly, of association and others, will be ensured by law in Hong Kong, and that the provisions of the two UN covenants on human rights (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) shall remain in force.
“Making such a law on Hong Kong’s behalf without the direct participation of its people, legislature or judiciary would clearly undermine the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, under which Hong Kong is guaranteed a high degree of autonomy.”
Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous region which has had a "one country, two systems" policy since Britain handed it to Chinese rule in 1997.
Downing Street has also urged China to respect Hong Kong’s rights amid concerns Beijing is tightening its grip on the city.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We are monitoring the situation closely. We expect China to respect Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms and high degree of autonomy.
“As a party to the joint declaration, the UK is committed to upholding Hong Kong’s autonomy and respecting the one country two systems model.”
Asked if the proposed law met the one country two system principle, he replied: “We are monitoring this closely and our immediate priority is to clarify the details of what is being suggested.”
