On 28 June, Hong Kong Watch Patron Catherine West MP hosted a reception in Parliament to mark the 26th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong and the third anniversary of the implementation of the National Security Law. The event welcomed over 100 participants, including 14 Parliamentarians from both Houses, who have been supporting human rights in Hong Kong. We were also joined by international friends, including diplomats, human rights advocates, media and members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong.

Catherine West MP, Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific, welcomed guests at this event to mark the anniversary of the handover and the National Security Law, and drew attention to the plight of Hong Kong’s political prisoners.

Lord Patten of Barnes, Hong Kong Watch Patron and the last Governor of Hong Kong, opened his speech by reflecting on the life of Michael Sze, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs and Secretary for the Civil Service while he was the Governor. He described Michael Sze as an example of those in public service who stood up to the pressure from the United Front with honesty and integrity. He said:

“We left behind a system which was established in an international treaty broken by the Chinese – as they’ve broken so many of their international treaties – and broken in a way which showed something many of us had worried about over the years: that Hong Kong would prove to be the canary down the mine. The way Beijing behaved over Hong Kong, and in Hong Kong, would give us a pretty good idea how they would behave internationally in relation to systems which they simply didn’t understand, or pretended not to understand.”

Lord Patten also referenced the protest movements that occurred in 2014, 2019 and 2020, which he described as “the most extraordinary signs of the sentiment of people in Hong Kong to China and Chinese leadership”. Three years on since the imposition of the National Security Law, Lord Patten noted how this draconian law showed “comprehensively vengeful restrictions on freedom of press, [and] on any development of civil society or democracy”. He gave a special mention to Jimmy Lai, and applauded him for his efforts in supporting democracy, his courage and his unwavering belief in the value of freedom. He concluded his speech by noting his confidence that the Hong Kong diaspora who arrived through the BNO scheme will make valuable contributions to British society.

The Minister of Security Tom Tugendhat MP remarked that the BNO scheme which welcomed thousands of Hong Kongers will strengthen the UK as a nation. In thanking the work of Hong Kong Watch and all allies in human rights, he said that the courage of those who stand up to speak the truth is the biggest challenge faced by all dictatorships.

During the closing remarks, Chief Executive and co-founder of Hong Kong Watch Benedict Rogers noted the importance of remembering what 1 July signifies:

“1 July is of course definitely not a celebration of any kind. In fact, it is a day of mourning – for the broken promises, the violations of an international treaty, the dismantling of Hong Kong’s freedoms, rule of law and autonomy. It is a day when we remember those arrested imprisoned under the draconian National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing three years ago, mostly denied bail, and the books banned, the independent newspapers shut down, the civil society groups disbanded, the once vibrant legislature transformed into a quisling puppet body. And it is a day when we pledge to redouble our efforts, to continue to work for change and fight for freedom, to keep a spotlight on Hong Kong.”

He expressed appreciation to Parliamentarians in all parties and across both Houses of Parliament who have supported Hong Kong continuously, as well as the trustees, advisors, Patrons and supporters of Hong Kong Watch, and all other international allies advocating for human rights. He concluded:

“Hong Kong was once my home, as it was for many of us. I was not born there, but it was where my career was born, as I lived in Hong Kong for the first five years after the handover, from 1997-2002. That is why I am so passionate about speaking up for Hong Kong … I end with four words which are banned in Hong Kong but which we can freely say here: ‘Glory to Hong Kong’”.