Hong Kong: Politics and Government

(asked on 7th February 2017) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Hong Kong Government regarding (a) legal challenges against democratically elected legislators Nathan Law, Edward Yiu, Lau Siu-lai and Leung Kwok-hung and (b) rulings regarding Yau Wai-Chung and Sixtus Heung; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Alok Sharma Portrait
Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
This question was answered on 15th February 2017

On 7 November 2016, after the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) issued an interpretation of the Basic Law before the conclusion of related judicial proceedings in Hong Kong, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office released a statement. We expressed concern at recent developments in the Legislative Council. While we recognised the NPCSC's authority to interpret the Basic Law, we were concerned by its decision to issue an opinion at that time. We urged the Chinese and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments, and all elected politicians, to refrain from any actions that fuelled concerns or undermined confidence in the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle.

The Hong Kong Courts subsequently reached a decision on the cases of Yau Wai-ching and Sixtus Leung on the basis of Hong Kong's legal framework. We respect this decision.

The other ongoing legal cases referred to are a matter for the Hong Kong Courts.

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