Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the People's Republic of China's compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration; whether they intend to introduce legislation to automatically upgrade British National (Overseas) (BNO) status to full British Citizenship for all Hong Kongers born as British subjects; and what assessment they have made of the financial barriers of the current BNO visa route for individuals whose citizenship rights were removed by the Hong Kong Act 1985.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
The UK is clear that China remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, as set out in our six-monthly reports on Hong Kong, the most recent edition of which was published on 26 March.
The UK's commitment to the people of Hong Kong remains steadfast, and is exemplified by the bespoke immigration route for British Nationals (Overseas). Those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members can apply to come to the UK to live, study and work, on a pathway to citizenship.
We are aware that some individuals who have taken up the BN(O) route are having difficulties accessing their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) from Hong Kong. We continue to raise this issue with the Hong Kong Government and the MPF Authorities to encourage a solution.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Article 63 of the new Ethnic Unity and Progress Law introduced by the government of China, which directs Chinese authorities to act against organisations and individuals outside China for any acts that "undermine ethnic unity and progress or create ethnic division"; and in particular of its potential use as a tool in the transnational repression of the Chinese diaspora, including Hong Kongers resident in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer provided in the House of Commons on 8 July in response to Question 15259, which - for ease of reference - has been reproduced below:
"This is a concerning development in China. We note the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' concern that this law may entrench restrictions on the rights and freedoms of ethnic minorities in a country where the environment for freedom of religion or belief is already restrictive.
"The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has discussed this law with Chinese officials, stressing the importance that the law does not harm the rights of members of minority groups and that it is not applied extraterritorially. We will never tolerate attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, and anyone caught assisting a foreign state to undermine our security will be brought to justice."
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the 101 non-emergency police line as the primary route for Hong Kongers in the UK to report incidents of transnational repression.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government, in consultation with CTP, has assessed that existing reporting channels, including 101 and 999, are the most widely known and easily accessible means of contacting the police, allowing for effective triage by trained professionals with onward referral to specialist teams. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters can support the accurate identification of TNR cases. CTP has rolled out training and guidance across all forces, including for call handlers, to support the identification and escalation of potential TNR cases. CTP is also embedding a national reporting model to ensure cases indicating potential foreign state involvement are identified and escalated to specialist teams. Given the targeted and specific nature of TNR in the UK, expected demand for a dedicated hotline was assessed to be low, and a separate reporting route could risk duplication and confusion. The Government recognises that some individuals may be reluctant to report incidents and is therefore focused on strengthening confidence through improved guidance, training, and engagement with victims and civil society. The UK continues to engage closely with international partners, including the United States, to exchange insights and strengthen cooperation on TNR and wider state threats, sharing best practice on detection, reporting, and response mechanisms. |
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reports of transnational repression made via the 101 service by members of the Hong Kong diaspora have been recorded in each of the last three years; and how many of those reports resulted in (a) a recorded crime, (b) a referral to specialist counter-state-threats policing, and (c) protective security advice being provided to the complainant.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government, in consultation with CTP, has assessed that existing reporting channels, including 101 and 999, are the most widely known and easily accessible means of contacting the police, allowing for effective triage by trained professionals with onward referral to specialist teams. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters can support the accurate identification of TNR cases. CTP has rolled out training and guidance across all forces, including for call handlers, to support the identification and escalation of potential TNR cases. CTP is also embedding a national reporting model to ensure cases indicating potential foreign state involvement are identified and escalated to specialist teams. Given the targeted and specific nature of TNR in the UK, expected demand for a dedicated hotline was assessed to be low, and a separate reporting route could risk duplication and confusion. The Government recognises that some individuals may be reluctant to report incidents and is therefore focused on strengthening confidence through improved guidance, training, and engagement with victims and civil society. The UK continues to engage closely with international partners, including the United States, to exchange insights and strengthen cooperation on TNR and wider state threats, sharing best practice on detection, reporting, and response mechanisms. |
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to raise concerns about freedom of religion and belief in Hong Kong.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office monitors Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Hong Kong closely and updates any significant developments in that area in the reports that we publish each six months to Parliament on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We continue to champion FoRB for all, and work to uphold those rights in Hong Kong and throughout the world.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the role of Hong Kong authorities in acts of transnational repression directed at individuals resident in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 March in response to question 118999.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of whether the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London continues to operate solely for trade and economic purposes.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Question 724.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to paragraph 61 of the 7th Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of Session 2024-26 on Transnational Repression in the UK, HC 681, published on 30 July 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Committee's findings that many victims choose not to come forward due to a lack of confidence in existing reporting systems; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of this on the accuracy of official data on the scale of transnational repression against the Hong Kong community.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals who may be victims of transnational repression (TNR) can report concerns with confidence, and that those reports are handled effectively across policing. While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual security arrangements, support is always threat‑led and tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is embedding a national reporting model to ensure that cases indicating potential foreign state involvement are identified and escalated to specialist teams. This is supported by training and guidance available to all forces, including call handlers, to recognise indicators of TNR.
Our understanding of TNR is informed by multiple sources, including engagement with victims and civil society (which continues at ministerial and official level), to ensure policy remains evidence led and proportionate.
The Government, in consultation with CTP, has assessed that existing reporting channels, including 101 and 999, are well established, operate 24/7, and allow for effective triage by trained professionals with onward referral to specialist teams. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters can support the accurate identification of TNR cases.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the suitability of the 101 service for reports from Hong Kongers with (a) limited English proficiency and (b) fears that information disclosed could reach the Hong Kong or Chinese authorities; and whether Cantonese-language support is available to 101 callers in all force areas.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals who may be victims of transnational repression (TNR) can report concerns with confidence, and that those reports are handled effectively across policing. While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual security arrangements, support is always threat‑led and tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is embedding a national reporting model to ensure that cases indicating potential foreign state involvement are identified and escalated to specialist teams. This is supported by training and guidance available to all forces, including call handlers, to recognise indicators of TNR.
Our understanding of TNR is informed by multiple sources, including engagement with victims and civil society (which continues at ministerial and official level), to ensure policy remains evidence led and proportionate.
The Government, in consultation with CTP, has assessed that existing reporting channels, including 101 and 999, are well established, operate 24/7, and allow for effective triage by trained professionals with onward referral to specialist teams. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters can support the accurate identification of TNR cases.
Asked by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora, including those subject to HK$1 million bounties issued by the Hong Kong authorities, on their experiences of reporting transnational repression through 101 and on a dedicated reporting route.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals who may be victims of transnational repression (TNR) can report concerns with confidence, and that those reports are handled effectively across policing. While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual security arrangements, support is always threat‑led and tailored to the specific circumstances of each case.
Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) is embedding a national reporting model to ensure that cases indicating potential foreign state involvement are identified and escalated to specialist teams. This is supported by training and guidance available to all forces, including call handlers, to recognise indicators of TNR.
Our understanding of TNR is informed by multiple sources, including engagement with victims and civil society (which continues at ministerial and official level), to ensure policy remains evidence led and proportionate.
The Government, in consultation with CTP, has assessed that existing reporting channels, including 101 and 999, are well established, operate 24/7, and allow for effective triage by trained professionals with onward referral to specialist teams. Language support, including translation services, is embedded within these mechanisms, and work is ongoing to ensure interpreters can support the accurate identification of TNR cases.