Liberal Democrats stand for an open society receptive to new ideas, international trade, law-law rather than war-war, cooperation amongst nations, and universal human rights. Whilst proud to be British, we oppose isolationism, nationalism, protectionism and xenophobia for political gain. We recognise the difficulties of Britain's colonial past and support making amends.

1. The 13th National People's Congress (NPC) has just passed a new law on 30th June to introduce a system of "National Security" to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) so China will have power over its long term stability. The national security law seeks to ban acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, in accordance with its laws including any "foreign or external interference". Criticism of the national anthem will also be outlawed and mainland Chinese security agents will be able to set up offices in HK.

On Sunday 28 June at 1400 BST, a time chosen to suit a global audience, LibDems Overseas (LDO) a g(local) party co-hosted our first webinar with the Paddy Ashdown Forum, the centrist think tank supported by the European Liberal Forum. Participants who joined via Zoom were largely drawn from LDO's 1000 members and supporters living in over 40 countries outside Europe. The event was moderated by LDO Chair, George Cunningham.

The UK and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984 for the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 under 'one country two systems' for a period of 50 years. In recent years Hong Kong has seen mass protests against the perceived erosion of their rights and freedoms, for universal suffrage for the election of their Chief Executive and against a 2019 Extradition Bill. On 21 May, the Chinese Government proposed a national security law for Hong Kong aimed at preventing and punishing acts of terrorism, subversion, separatism and foreign interference. It gives the Chinese government power to adjudicate over select criminal cases.

We wish to express our sympathy with the family of the late George Floyd who tragically lost his life on 25 May 2020 in Minneapolis as a result of police brutality.

Chinese Liberal Democrats stand in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement that started in the United States but is equally relevant here in the UK and worldwide.

The alarming rise in hate crime towards British Chinese and other East Asian communities due to the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed deep seated racism in our society. Misinformation in the media and by public figures, whether deliberate or unintentional, has heightened fears and bigotry, leading to harassment, abuse and even physical attacks.

Welcome to Sir Ed Davey as new Patron of Chinese Lib Dems

In April, Ed Davey talked to Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor and Secretary of the Tunbridge Wells local party, Marguerita Morton, about green growth and his new role as patron of the Chinese Lib Dems. Over Zoom, Sir Ed explained how the UK must stand up for the rights of Hong Kong's people and fight coronavirus-driven spikes in anti-Chinese racism at home.

On 18th April 2020, 15 of Hong Kong's most respected pro-democracy politicians and advocates were arrested on charges that they participated in organising unlawful assemblies on 18th August, 1st October and 20th October last year.

We note that the peaceful demonstration that took place on 18th August 2019 was attended by an estimated 1.7 million people,