Hong Kong Extradition Bill

Lord Judd Excerpts

Tuesday 11th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goldie]

I thank my noble friend for his comment. He is right that this structure pivots on the duality of one country, two systems. It is fundamental to the structure of the joint declaration. We monitor what is happening. He will be aware that in the recent six-monthly report to Parliament, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said:

“It is very welcome that in the areas of business and the independence of the judiciary, the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ model is working well. However, I am concerned that on civil and political freedoms, Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy is being reduced”.


I can reassure my noble friend that the UK Government represent their concerns consistently.

[Lord Judd (Lab)]

Does the Minister not agree that this sad situation is symptomatic of the reality of the political situation in China: that, as well as justice issues, this raises the most profound human rights issues, so it is high time the Government made a statement on how they reconcile their commitment to human rights in foreign policy with their economic relationships with China?

[Baroness Goldie]

I can assure the noble Lord that we do it frequently, robustly, through the normal diplomatic channels and at the United Nations.