UK Looks Into the Implementation of Sino-British Joint Declaration

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• published: 07 Sep 2014
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Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews When Hong Kong people resist the denial of genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong, the international community also voices their concern. Britain and China initiate a series of diplomatic firings at each other. Britain launched an investigation into Hong Kong,s democratic progress, and China requested a stop to the investigation. Britain's parliament rejected China's call and warned the Communist regime: the political reform in Hong Kong could violate the 1984 Sino-UK Joint Declaration. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration. With the exacerbated volatility in Hong Kong, The UK parliament examined how China and Britain's joint declaration on the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China is being implemented. Beijing immediately expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang stated China,s opposition to any foreign interference in internal affairs at a regular press briefing on the 2nd. The Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China had sent a letter to its British counterpart, condemning its probe into the state of democracy since Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, quoted Reuters. Communist Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming also stressed China,s stance to the British side. But Richard Ottaway, chairman of the British parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Tuesday that members of parliament would not heed the Chinese calls, reported Reuters. The regime was also warned that reforms there may violate a 1984 deal on the former British colony's sovereignty. Reuters added, a spokesman for Cameron said the work of parliament's select committees was "rightly and appropriately entirely independent". Bao Tong, secretary of former Communist Party General Secretary Zhao Ziyang, points out that the British Parliament,s inquiry into Hong Kong democracy development means to fulfill its promises. It is nothing about interference in internal affairs as claimed by the Communist Party. Bao Tong: "What exactly does 'Hong Kong people running Hong Kong', mean, if even the election is determined by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the Central? It is absurd that Hong Kong people can not rule Hong Kong or speak of elections, even election approach is decided by the central." Bao Tong said that Hong Kong voters have become pawns on the chessboard for the CCP. The commitment during the handover of Hong Kong regarding Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong has been betrayed. According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984, Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997. Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, i.e., the "one country two systems", "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong", for 50 years. Well-known political commentator Chen Pokong: "Today the British Parliament,s inquiry into the Sino-UK agreement for any drawbacks and the implementation on the progress in Hong Kong is an entirely responsive act of Britain's government. I believe it shows Britain,s obligation to Hong Kong, to the international community, and to China." Chris Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, writing in the Financial Times, condemned China,s planned reforms in Hong Kong that would introduce the kind of stage-managed democracy seen in Iran. He also called into question Britain,s “sense of honour” and criticized David Cameron,s government for failing to condemn China,s planned reforms in Hong Kong. The Communist media Global Times has criticized Patten for two consecutive days, regarding his article. But, when Chinese officials criticize the British MPs and others for commenting on the situation in Hong Kong, they ignore the fact: the UK has obligations under its joint declaration with China to guarantee the territory,s way of life for 50 years, wrote Lord Patten. “Sooner or later I assume the British government will comment on Beijing,s plan,” Lord Patten writes. “This would not be a provocation but a duty. No one can seriously believe that this would have commercial consequences, or that such consequences should be an overriding concern when our honour is on the line.” Financial Times (FT) reported, Nick Clegg, the UK deputy prime minister, has also criticised what he claims is Conservative silence on Hong Kong. Downing St said it would “look very carefully” at the Chinese proposals but added it backed the transition to universal suffrage in Hong Kong, added FT. 《神韵》2014世界巡演新亮点 http://www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org/