A man sits under the colonial Hong Kong flag during the annual July 1 pro-democracy protest last year. (Photo: Laurel Chor/Coconuts Media)
Britain’s foreign secretary on Thursday said Hong Kong could still take a “meaningful step” towards democracy after mass protests posed the most serious test to the city’s stability since its handover to China.
“During this reporting period, ‘one country, two systems’ has been put to perhaps the most serious test since the handover in 1997,” Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in Britain’s bi-annual report on its former colony.
Hammond said Beijing’s August decision was “clearly more restrictive than anticipated,” but echoed the Hong Kong government’s stance that a restricted vote is better than no vote at all.
“I do believe that there remains space within them (Beijing’s parameters) for a meaningful step forward for democracy,” Hammond said.
“I hope that the Hong Kong government and legislators can work together to achieve a consensus that is acceptable to the people of Hong Kong,” he added, vowing to press for rights and freedoms enshrined in Hong Kong’s constitution.
Relations between China and Britain are occasionally strained by the issue of Hong Kong, with China decrying “interference” by the former power.
In December, committee of British MPs were denied visas when they attempted to visit the city to scrutinise Britain’s responsibilities under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, the 1984 treaty that established procedures for the handover.
However, critics are sceptical that Britain would ever risk its relationship with China over Hong Kong.
Words: AFP
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.
