UK six-monthly report on Hong Kong restates that 'China remains in non-compliance' with the Sino-British Joint Declaration

Today, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office released its latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong covering the events of 1 July to 31 December 2022.

In the foreword to the six-monthly report, Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly MP, writes that ‘China remains in an ongoing state of non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration’ and calls on ‘Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities to implement the recommendations made in the UN Human Rights Council July report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including by removing the National Security Law.’

He went on to state that ‘the UK will continue to monitor closely how recent changes in Hong Kong will be implemented’, including the abolition of democratic elections for District Councillors and developments related to the national security trials of the StandNews journalists, the 47 democrats, and Jimmy Lai.

The events detailed in the report include, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee interpretation of the National Security Law to give the Chief Executive powers to bar overseas lawyers, the charging of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund trustees, the sentencing of Jimmy Lai for “fraud”, the growing use of sedition laws to target pro-democracy activists, and the curtailing of press freedom.

The full report can be read here.

Commenting on the release of the latest six-monthly report, Benedict Rogers, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive, said:

“We welcome the publication of the latest six-monthly report by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the Foreign Secretary’s foreword which states that China remains in ongoing non-compliance of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

This report offers a thorough and detailed overview of the growing erosion of civil, political, and human rights in Hong Kong and the rule of law by the Chinese state and its hand-picked Chief Executive.

We urge the UK Government to match words with action and ensure that those who are actively undermining China’s obligations to the people of Hong Kong are held accountable.

A failure to do so will only embolden the Chinese Government to deepen its human rights crackdown, putting at risk not only Hong Kongers but UK nationals and businesses operating in the city.”