Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has hade of the decision by the authorities in Hong Kong to suspend direct elections for District Councillors in the context of China's obligations under the Sino-British agreement.

We are monitoring the proposals announced on 2 May by the Chief Executive of Hong Kong regarding District Council elections as they are put to Legislative Council. Changes to electoral rules in Hong Kong since 2021 have eroded the ability of Hong Kongers to be represented legitimately at all levels of government. We have made clear with our G7 partners our serious issues over the erosion of democratic elements in Hong Kong's electoral system. We will continue to bring together our international partners, to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to hold China to the international obligations it freely agreed to.