Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2017
34. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the disqualification of four elected representatives from the Legislative Council in Hong Kong (details supplied); if he has made representations to the Chinese authorities regarding the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39780/17]
View answerThe Government follows closely developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is aware of the recent decision to disqualify four elected representatives from the Legislative Council in Hong Kong. Officials from my Department recently discussed this issue with the Hong Kong authorities in a meeting on Friday 8 September. Ireland, together with our EU partners, remains convinced that the principle of 'one country, two systems' continues to work to the benefit of the people of Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China and the world. Hong Kong's success is underpinned by its high degree of autonomy, rule of law, independent judiciary, democratic separation of powers, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. The EU publishes an annual report on developments in Hong Kong and regularly discusses such issues with the Hong Kong authorities, notably during the annual structured dialogue. The EU’s most recent annual report, published in April 2017, highlighted that all necessary steps should be taken to restore faith in Hong Kong’s rule of law and the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.
Respect for the Basic Law and the ‘one country, two systems’ principle also forms an integral part of the EU’s engagement with the People’s Republic of China, as outlined in the EU Strategy on China adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council in July 2016.
The Embassy of Ireland in Beijing and the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong, in cooperation with our EU partners, will continue to monitor developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We continue to support the full application of the Basic Law and the ‘one country, two systems’ principle in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
