Britain warned China today that there would be “serious consequences” if it breaches a historic pact protecting freedoms in Hong Kong.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt also urged the authorities in the former British colony not to use the storming of its parliament by demonstrators as a pretext to “repress” its people. “We stand foursquare behind the people of Hong Kong,” he said.
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest against a controversial extradition law, which critics say could be used to send political dissidents from Hong Kong to mainland China to face trial.
Protesters smashed their way into the legislative council building yesterday — the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to Chinese rule — daubed graffiti on the walls and hung the old British colonial flag before riot police evicted them.
Mr Hunt said the UK condemned violence “on all sides” but highlighted “deep-seated concern by people in Hong Kong that their basic freedoms are under attack”.
The Cabinet minister warned against a crackdown which would break the 1984 agreement under which Hong Kong has been governed since 1997 with a “one country, two systems” model that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including the freedom to protest and an independent judiciary.
“There will be serious consequences if that international binding legal agreement were not to be honoured,” Mr Hunt warned. “It enshrines the basic freedoms of the people of Hong Kong and we stand four square behind that agreement, four square behind the people of Hong Kong.”
Beijing insists the demonstrations are an internal Chinese matter and criticised Britain for “gesticulating” about the territory in a growing diplomatic stand-off.
