PRESS RELEASE: Xi Jinping to Visit Hong Kong to Mark 25th Anniversary of Handover From Britain, as the CCP’s crackdown on civil freedoms sparks international condemnation
Thursday 30th June – Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hong Kong this week to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from the UK, and to inaugurate the new government under the leadership of John Lee. The visit comes amid a global condemnation of the crackdown on civil and political freedoms that was orchestrated by Beijing.
This crackdown represents a slew of egregious breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which were intended to protect the city’s democracy. Since 2019, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has repeatedly broken terms of the agreement by shutting down pro-democracy media outlets and imprisoning its journalists under fallacious and anti-democratic ‘National Security Law.’ The crackdown was orchestrated by the city’s new Chief Executive and Beijing puppet, John Lee, who was appointed following a rubber stamp election which garnered him a ludicrous 99% of votes from the electoral college – every member of which is vetted by the CCP.
Following the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, Hong Kong’s executives have held sweeping powers to prevent ‘insurrection’. This has seen the incarceration of dozens of pro-democracy activists who remain in prison on indefinite remand, awaiting trial dates that are inevitably postponed. Not only has free speech suffered in the name of ‘National Security’ but religious freedom has been under assault following the arrest of Beijing critic Cardinal Joseph Zen. Worse is still to come, however, with reports from Chinese media suggesting that universal surveillance and AI will combine to police crimes that have not yet happened. It is clear that the Central Government is giving itself the widest possible range of tools to silence its critics, regardless of any principles of democracy or liberalism which might stand in its way.
The CFHK calls on the UK government to show strength in the face of a Chinese government that will willingly and unilaterally abandon the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Without immediate action, the freedoms of Hongkongers are likely to only suffer further degradation, until every feature that identifies Hong Kong as a once open democracy is eradicated.
CFHK President, Mark Clifford, said:
“President Xi’s trip to Hong Kong cannot suppress the cries for help coming from the people of Hong Kong. Exiled pro-democracy activists and brave Hongkongers who remain in the city tell western governments of the attacks on daily freedoms being meted out at the hands of the CCP.
“Unfortunately, China continues to take retrograde steps against its media, its judiciary, and ultimately against its people. Western governments must realise that inaction now will see the CCP’s brutal suppression of freedoms spread. Beijing must feel the bite of sanctions immediately.”
This crackdown represents a slew of egregious breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which were intended to protect the city’s democracy. Since 2019, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has repeatedly broken terms of the agreement by shutting down pro-democracy media outlets and imprisoning its journalists under fallacious and anti-democratic ‘National Security Law.’ The crackdown was orchestrated by the city’s new Chief Executive and Beijing puppet, John Lee, who was appointed following a rubber stamp election which garnered him a ludicrous 99% of votes from the electoral college – every member of which is vetted by the CCP.
Following the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, Hong Kong’s executives have held sweeping powers to prevent ‘insurrection’. This has seen the incarceration of dozens of pro-democracy activists who remain in prison on indefinite remand, awaiting trial dates that are inevitably postponed. Not only has free speech suffered in the name of ‘National Security’ but religious freedom has been under assault following the arrest of Beijing critic Cardinal Joseph Zen. Worse is still to come, however, with reports from Chinese media suggesting that universal surveillance and AI will combine to police crimes that have not yet happened. It is clear that the Central Government is giving itself the widest possible range of tools to silence its critics, regardless of any principles of democracy or liberalism which might stand in its way.
The CFHK calls on the UK government to show strength in the face of a Chinese government that will willingly and unilaterally abandon the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Without immediate action, the freedoms of Hongkongers are likely to only suffer further degradation, until every feature that identifies Hong Kong as a once open democracy is eradicated.
CFHK President, Mark Clifford, said:
“President Xi’s trip to Hong Kong cannot suppress the cries for help coming from the people of Hong Kong. Exiled pro-democracy activists and brave Hongkongers who remain in the city tell western governments of the attacks on daily freedoms being meted out at the hands of the CCP.
“Unfortunately, China continues to take retrograde steps against its media, its judiciary, and ultimately against its people. Western governments must realise that inaction now will see the CCP’s brutal suppression of freedoms spread. Beijing must feel the bite of sanctions immediately.”
About CFHK
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk
The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong presses for political and economic consequences for China’s failure to keep its promises to respect Hong Kong’s freedoms; supports the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners; and urges the business community to stand against China’s assault on freedom and the danger it poses to Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Hong Kong’s fate is linked to the preservation of freedom, democracy, and international law in the region and around the world.
For more information, please contact:
media@thecfhk.org
www.thecfhk.org
@thecfhk