Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Justice Kemal Bokhary, that a “storm” has broken out “in full force” over the rule of law in Hong Kong, what assessment they have made of the (1) state of, and (2) threat to, the (a) rule of law, and (b) independence of the judiciary, in Hong Kong.

The rule of law underpins One Country, Two Systems and Hong Kong's future prosperity and success. Despite recent pressure on aspects of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, the UK continues to believe that Hong Kong's world-class, independent judiciary, plays an essential role in underpinning the rule of law in Hong Kong. Participation of foreign judges in Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal strengthens Hong Kong's independent judiciary.

Further analysis of Hong Kong's rule of law and judiciary will be included in the Foreign Secretary's Six-Monthly Report on the Question of Hong Kong, which will be published in the Spring.