(Summarized and translated by Chapman Chen)
At 15:30 London time on 16 December, Tang Chi-tak and Hui Sin-tung, two student-representatives of the Occupy British Consulate-General Hong Kong Action Group, physically attended an inquiry hearing held by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament on the thirtieth anniversary of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. In answering the parliamentary members’ questions, Tang and Hui explained how China has violated the Joint Declaration since 1997.
The MPs repeatedly asked Tang and Hui exactly how Hongkongers want the UK to help them struggle for genuine democracy; one of the representatives replied that since a deputy Chinese ambassador to Britain has told Sir Richard Ottaway that “the Joint Declaration is now void”, the UK may actually reactivate the Treaty of Nanking and the Treaty of Tientsin. The entire meeting was live broadcast by the British Parliament.
The Hong Kong representatives first pointed out how China has violated the Joint Declaration in terms of press freedom (media and journalists having been attacked or threatened), freedom of assembly (Hong Kong Police unlawfully beating up protesters), education and language policy (Putonghua gradually replacing Cantonese, the mother tongue of most Hongkongers, as the medium of instruction), Chief Executive Election reform (an undemocratic nomination committee screening candidates) and Legislative Council Election reform (retention of functional constituencies), etc.
The British side asked the HK representatives about their view of recent bombardments of HK government buildings by certain protesters. The representatives replied that as peaceful demonstrations over the last 17 years have not received any proper response from the HK Government, escalation of action is indeed necessary.
The British MPs asked the Hong Kong representatives how they want the British Parliament and Government to help Hong Kong fight for democracy. Hui said that they want the British Parliament to look into China’s violations of the Joint Declaration and publish the result of investigation, to monitor the British Government so that it will force China to fulfill the Joint Declaration, and to denounce China for any violation of the Joint Declaration.
The British side asked the HK delegates whether they are satisfied with the half-yearly reports prepared by the UK about the Hong Kong situation. The delegates said no, on the ground that the interviewees of the reports are mostly Hong Kong pan-democrats, who, for selfish reasons, often make compromises in their negotiations with China at the expense of local interests.
Tang, in his turn, indicated that the UK Government should demand Beijing to clarify Ni Jian’s (the deputy ambassador to the UK) telling Sir Richard Ottaway, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, that the Joint Declaration is now void. “If the Joint Declaration is void,” Tang went on, “the UK may consider reactivating the Treaty of Nanking and the Treaty of Tientsin.”
The British MPs asked the two representatives whether they are happy with Britain’s response or reaction to the Hong Kong issue. The two representatives said that they are happy with the British Parliament but not the British Consulate-General Hong Kong, for the latter fails to provide “humanitarian protection” for Hong Kong protesters.
The British MPs asked the representatives whether it will help if the UK publicly support Hongkongers’ demand for genuine democracy. The representatives answered in the affirmative.
“Your petition letter urges the UK Government to require that China allow Hong Kong to have genuine universal suffrage, but the UK does not seem to have obvious ways of doing so. What suggestions do you have for us?” asked the British side. Hui replied that she is no expert in international relations but guesses that the UK could exert diplomatic pressure on Beijing.
Lastly, Sir Ottaway asked, “Do you want the UK to use economic relationships to force China to give HK democracy?” “This is not our suggestion,” Hui replied, “I am not an expert in international relations. This requires further negotiation.” Whereas Tang said that provided that China could be forced to implement the Joint Declaration, any measures could be considered.
