Hong Kong democracy activists have urged the European Union not to sign the China-EU Comprehensive Investment Agreement (CIA) until Beijing repeals the National Security Law and lifts restrictions on elections in Hong Kong.
The letter, addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and others, was published Thursday (March 11) by Hong Kong Watch, a British-based NGO. The letter was initiated by Hong Kong Watch and co-signed by 24 Hong Kong activists, including 13 exiled activists including Law Kwun Chung, Hui Chi-fung, Leung Chung-hang and Lau Cho-dee.
The letter said “we do not see how the EU can make progress in ratifying this investment agreement, given that Beijing has violated the Sino-British Joint Declaration by changing Hong Kong’s electoral system and is conducting mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the National Security Law, in violation of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. progress towards ratification.”
The letter continued, “It is absurd that the EU, which has publicly demonstrated to the international community that it will assume its existing obligations to safeguard the autonomy and freedom of the people of Hong Kong, should expect China to comply with its obligations under a new bilateral investment treaty.”
“We therefore urge you to refuse to ratify the CEIBS until the National Security Law is repealed, all pro-democracy activists are released, and Hong Kong’s electoral system is restored,” the letter said.
The activists also concluded their letter by saying that ratification of the CEPA would increase the risk of Beijing’s aggression against Taiwan and continued persecution of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities.
“Hong Kong Monitor quoted Xu Zhifeng as saying that MEPs, European leaders and EU commissioners should ask themselves whether the oppression of Hong Kong over the past few weeks will continue if they move forward with ratification of the agreement.
He added: “Instead of encouraging China to make new commitments under an investment treaty that its leaders will never honour, Europe should focus on ensuring that Beijing returns to its international obligations towards Hong Kong, starting with the repeal of the National Security Law and the release of all pro-democracy activists and the restoration of our electoral system.”
China’s National People’s Congress has voted on Thursday to adopt the Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Decision will change the electoral system for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive and Legislative Council by reducing the number of democratically elected representatives and introducing a vetting mechanism for candidates running for office, among other things. This action by Beijing will further suppress democracy and strengthen Beijing’s control over Hong Kong.
Over the past two decades, cumulative EU foreign direct investment in China has exceeded 140 billion euros, and total Chinese direct investment in the EU is close to 120 billion euros.
In addition to rules prohibiting the forced transfer of technology, the China-EU Comprehensive Investment Agreement covers the conduct of state-owned enterprises and the transparency of subsidies. The Agreement will ensure that EU investors have better access to the fast-growing market of 1.4 billion consumers and that they can compete on a level playing field in China,” the EU said. This is important for the global competitiveness and future development of EU industries.”
Recent Comments