James Cleverly, the Foreign Minister for the United Kingdom, has disclosed that, he brought up the incarcerated media mogul Jimmy Lai’s issue with senior officials of China and Hong Kong. The UK once again has criticized Beijing for its repression on freedoms in the former British colony.
He subtly mentioned that, he brought up Lai’s issue with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, as well as at the “highest levels with the Hong Kong authorities,” in the prologue to the UK’s most recent six-monthly review on what was happening in Hong Kong.
He said, “Detained British dual national Jimmy Lai is one such figure.” He accused the authorities of the province of “deliberately targeting prominent pro-democracy figures, journalists, and politicians in an effort to silence and discredit them.”
The most well-known advocate for democracy to go on trial pursuant to Beijing-imposed security legislation has been Lai, the owner of the widely read, but now defunct Apple Daily. He was initially detained in 2020, and in December of that year, prosecution for “colluding with foreign forces” was initiated.
Per the UK review, which covered six months up until December 31, 2022, Hong Kong’s superior court decided that, British Attorney Timothy Owen could join Lai’s defense team.
John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong, then petitioned to Beijing, and the trial of Lai was delayed while Beijing made its judgment. Beijing’s “first interpretation” of the security law was announced by China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) in December, the article stated.
Hong Kong approved a bill this month, granting its chief executive the power to veto any foreign attorney’s participating in matters involving national security. The trial for Lai has been set to begin in September.
“Actions taken by the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities continue to erode Hong Kong’s social, legal and judicial systems,” Cleverly said. “Powers once vested in the judiciary have transferred to the Chief Executive. Those facing national security charges no longer have the right to challenge Government decisions in the courts.”
Additionally, the UK report stated that, the number of seats that can be directly elected has been lowered as a result of a recent revision to the local election laws. The Chinese Embassy in Hong Kong Commissioner’s Office reacted angrily to the update with sharp reprimand.
The spokesperson for the Chinese embassy accused the UK of “distorting and smearing” the policy of the Chinese government in Hong Kong, “wantonly attacking” the national security laws of Hong Kong, and the territory’s electoral system as well as “slandering” Hong Kong’s human rights and rule of law.
“The report from the British side criticised China’s just actions to safeguard national security, made irresponsible remarks on the Special Administrative Region (SAR) government’s administration according to law, and made irresponsible comments on the fair trial of the SAR courts,” the statement revealed, referring to Hong Kong as Special Administrative Region. “It has been completely reduced to a tool for political performances and has no credibility at all,” the report said.
According to the UK research, the usage of sedition legislation in Hong Kong has increased, with more people being detained or found guilty primarily for peaceful expression of their opinions. Additionally, the report noted that press freedom was coming under increased threat due to the prosecution of journalists and the detention of some of them pending trial.
“The UK considered China to be in a state of ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration throughout this period,” the report said.
Returning Hong Kong To China
The United Kingdom and China signed a joint statement, a pact that was officially supervised and recognized by the UN, in 1984, outlining the strategy of China retaking control of Hong Kong.
The commission spokeswoman stated that Hong Kong, which was given back to China in July 1997, currently abides by the Chinese Law as well as its own mini-constitution dubbed the Basic Law.
“The British side has no sovereignty, governance or supervision over Hong Kong after the return. The British side has repeatedly talked about the “Sino-British Joint Declaration” and talked about the so-called “historical responsibility”. This is pure nonsense that distorts history and legal principles!” the statement said.
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