Britain sees Hong Kong’s autonomy waning under current system
hong kong — Developments in Hong Kong have affected confidence in a system of government intended to ensure the Chineseruled city’s autonomy, though its rule of law remained robust “despite challenges”, former colonial power Britain said on Friday.
Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 with guarantees it would retain extensive autonomy, an independent legal system and broad personal and commercial freedoms under a deal known as “one country, two systems”.
The international financial hub has seen tumultuous times over the past couple of years, with prodemocracy protests quelled in what many residents see as creeping interference by Beijing and the rise of a small but vocal movement pushing for independence. Britain monitors developments in Hong Kong, as the agreement it struck with China for the territory’s return stipulated the continuation of its capitalist way of life for 50 years.
In its latest report to its parliament, covering the six months to the end of last year, the British government said the formula setting out how the city is ruled “continued to function well in the vast majority of areas”.
“Nevertheless, during the reporting period a number of developments caused concern in Hong Kong and internationally, affecting confidence in ‘one country, two systems,’” it said.
“We believe that, despite challenges, Hong Kong’s rule of law remains robust overall, thanks in large part to a world-class, independent judiciary,” it added.
Late last year thousands of lawyers marched through the heart of Hong Kong to condemn legal intervention by Beijing that effectively barred two elected pro-independence lawmakers from taking their seats in the city’s legislature.
The intervention fuelled concern about the independence of the city’s judiciary.
China rejects outright any talk of independence and Britain reaffirmed in its report that it did not see independence as an option for the city. —