The G-7 issued a joint statement on March 12 expressing grave concern over the Chinese government’s revision of Hong Kong‘s electoral law, condemning the decision to eliminate dissenting voices and views in Hong Kong, and urging the Communist Party to “end its oppression in Hong Kong.
On the same day, the top diplomatic officials of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union issued a joint statement “calling on the Chinese (Communist) and Hong Kong governments to re-establish trust in Hong Kong’s political institutions and to end the unfounded oppression of those who promote democratic values and defend human rights and freedoms. “.
The G7’s call was prompted by “China’s fundamental decision to erode the democratic elements of Hong Kong’s electoral system,” the British government said in a release on its website.
The joint statement noted that the decision to amend Hong Kong’s electoral law strongly indicates that the Chinese Communist government has made a determined effort to eliminate dissenting voices and views in Hong Kong.
The joint statement added: “Hong Kong people should be trusted to vote in the best interests of Hong Kong and to discuss different views, not to silence them, which is the way to ensure Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.”
The G7 called on the Chinese Communist Party to abide by the Sino-British Joint Declaration and other legal obligations and to respect Hong Kong’s fundamental human rights and freedoms.
U.S. Secretary of State John Blinken issued a statement on the evening of March 11 condemning the CCP’s decision to unilaterally change Hong Kong’s electoral system as a direct blow to the Sino-British Joint Declaration’s commitment to granting Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy.
Blinken noted that the Chinese Communist Party has deprived Hong Kong people of a voice in their own system of governance by limiting political participation, reducing public representation, and stifling political discussion. He urged the Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong authorities to allow the Hong Kong Legislative Council elections scheduled for September to proceed as usual and to withdraw prosecutions under Hong Kong’s National Security Law against those who participate in the elections or express dissenting views.
The United States stands with its allied partners to speak out for the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, said Blinken.
The European Union (EU) also issued a statement condemning the Chinese Communist Party’s sweeping changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system, which will have a significant impact on democratic accountability and political pluralism in Hong Kong. The EU warned that it would take further action against the Chinese Communist Party and would follow the situation in Hong Kong more closely.
The following is a full translation of the G7 statement.
G7 Statement on Election Changes in Hong Kong
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, united with the High Representative of the European Union, express our grave concern over the decision of the Chinese Communist authorities to fundamentally erode the democratic elements of the electoral system in Hong Kong. This decision is a strong indication that the mainland Chinese authorities are determined to eliminate dissenting voices and views in Hong Kong.
The revised package adopted by the National People’s Congress, coupled with the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists and politicians, undermines Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the principle of “one country, two systems”. It would also stifle political pluralism and depart from the goal of moving toward universal suffrage as enshrined in the Basic Law. Moreover, the changes would reduce freedom of expression, a right guaranteed in the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The people of Hong Kong should be trusted to cast their votes in the best interests of Hong Kong. Discussing different views, rather than silencing them, is the way to ensure Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.
We call on China (the Communist Party) to act in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration and other legal obligations, and to respect Hong Kong’s fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Basic Law. We also call on the Chinese (Communist) and Hong Kong authorities to restore confidence in Hong Kong’s political institutions and to stop the unjustified repression of those who promote democratic values and defend rights and freedoms.
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