Great Britain is shirking its historic duty to speak up for the freedom of Hong Kong. Foreign Office chief Hugo Swire claimed last week that the former colony is “on a journey to greater democracy and accountability.” It would be interesting to know exactly how Mr. Swire defines his terms.
In testimony to Parliament, Mr. Swire explained that while the rigged electoral system imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong “may not be perfect,” it nonetheless is “better than nothing.” His Foreign Office colleague Stephen Lillie said Beijing’s system could offer “genuine choice.” More honest diplomats would call the system, which allows Hong Kongers to vote only for candidates nominated by a committee stacked with Beijing loyalists, an Iran-style sham.
Britain is obliged to help safeguard Hong Kong’s liberties under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which set the terms for the city’s 1997 transfer from British to Chinese control. The treaty guaranteed that until 2047 Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy in its domestic affairs, with no loss of the rights and freedoms enjoyed under the British. China isn’t abiding by the terms.
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