UK urges China to open dialogue with Hong Kong on 1984 declaration anniversary

 

FILE PHOTO: Conservative Party candidate Dominic Raab (R) speaks after he was announced as the winner for the constituency of Esher and Walton at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Esher, Britain December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Radburn

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain urged China on Thursday to open dialogue with Hong Kong protesters and respect the commitments it made 35 years ago in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

 

The treaty signed on Dec. 19, 1984 pledged that Hong Kong’s high-degree of autonomy would be unchanged for 50 years after the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997.

 

But fears China may start to clamp down have led to months of often violent street protests in the territory.

 

"Hong Kong is experiencing its greatest period of turmoil since the handover," British Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

 

"The agreement between the UK and China made clear that Hong Kong’s high-degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms would remain unchanged for 50 years," he added.

 

"The undertakings made by China, including the right to freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and the rule of law are essential to Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life."

 

Raab said Britain took those commitments seriously.

 

He added: "The only way to guarantee Hong Kong’s future success and stability is by respecting these and addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of Hong Kong through meaningful political dialogue."

 

(Reporting by Stephen Addison; editing by Michael Holden)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-19

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Was it a "declaration" or a "treaty"? A treaty should carry more weight.... not much UK could do about China breaking that treaty, along same lines as Russia guaranteeing Ukraine borders in treaty (94?) when Ukraine got rid of nukes

"The agreement between the UK and China made clear that Hong Kong’s high-degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms would remain unchanged for 50 years," he added.

 

"The undertakings made by China, including the right to freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and the rule of law are essential to Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life."

 

Ok Dominic, me old fruit. So what has changed exactly? What are you chinning on about?

 

You could chin on about the protestors sparking a recession in Hong Kong and damaging tourism. Is that good for Hong Kong's prosperity?

 

Just another privileged  PEJ.

18 minutes ago, Traubert said:

"The agreement between the UK and China made clear that Hong Kong’s high-degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms would remain unchanged for 50 years," he added.

 

"The undertakings made by China, including the right to freedom of expression, an independent judiciary and the rule of law are essential to Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life."

 

Ok Dominic, me old fruit. So what has changed exactly? What are you chinning on about?

 

You could chin on about the protestors sparking a recession in Hong Kong and damaging tourism. Is that good for Hong Kong's prosperity?

 

Just another privileged  PEJ.

It might not be good in the short term, but can be very good in the long term.