The party conference came at an exciting time not least because of the massive increase in support for our party, The Liberal Democrats, over the past year. I am one of the new members who joined the party over the last year. There is little doubt the expense of attending conference can be a concern. After all, a quick getaway to the Mediterranean may cost just as much, and those seaside beaches may be a little more exotic than the familiar Bournemouth. However, I am confident you will find a four days trip with the Lib Dems appealing after reading my experience, a first time at the national party conference.

I was pleased to be adopted recently as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Westminster North. My journey to this point has been a long one. Through a career in business, the police, another party and all the way from Hong Kong, I have been emboldened to join the fight to demand better for our communities and country than this Tory-Labour mess.

For those who do not know George Lee, he was Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservatives in 2010 in the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.

He was also previously a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police, rising to be Sector Commander in Paddington Green. It was in that role that he developed and led a multi-agency initiative to tackle youth gang culture, introducing a holistic joined up programme titled DEEP - Decision Education Enforcement & Prevention. This was launched after the murder of headmaster Philip Lawrence at St Georges School in Maida Vale.

Due to the current political situations in Hong Kong, we Chinese Liberal Democrats are about to submit an emergency motion for debate at the autumn party conference 2019.

The motion reads as:

Motion on Hongkong and Rights of British Nationals (Overseas)

Drafted on behalf of Chinese Liberal Democrats 24.8.19

Introducing our new CLD Councillor Dr Gary Wong, in his own words:

"I was born in British Hong Kong and came to Britain when I was young. I went to school initially in Orpington, Kent and later at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire.

I was educated at University of Glasgow where I gained my medical degree. I also hold a Master degree in Sociology at University of Bristol.

An advertisement to support the Hong Kong Anti Extradition Movement appeared in 14 newspapers around the world on 27^th June. The press was puzzled by 2 questions: who created the campaign and how did they manage to execute it?

2 million Hong Kong citizens participated in the Hong Kong anti extradition bill protest on 21st June. The protesters made 3 demands: 1. the amendment of the bill to be retracted; 2. the definition of the clashes between police and civilians on 12th June as 'riot' to be retracted; and 3. an independent commission to be formed in order to investigate the police behaviour on 12th June. The Hong Kong government was forced to postpone the legislation of the bill. However, most of the demands from the protesters have not been met, so the protests turned into a long term civil disobedience movement, and a significant portion of protesters now demand the resignation of the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam.

Most people in Hong Kong now believe that the result of the movement will largely depend on the support from foreign countries, particularly when G20 summit takes place on 28th June. Some countries such as Germany and United States have already stated they would raise the Hong Kong issue during the Summit, despite the Chinese government strongly demanding the issue not be raised.

A successful campaign which Chinese Liberal Democrats have supported has helped Bethnal Green's local coffee vendor return to business after a 15 month hiatus, raising £10,000 to help him regain his coffee van.

Frank Wang, 53, who has served coffee outside Bethnal Green Tube Station for almost two decades, will relaunch his business on Friday with the help of local supporters and well-
wishers.

A million Hong Kong citizens went on a peaceful demonstration in Hong Kong on 12th June 2019 protesting against the government's proposed Extradition Bill. Not only did the Hong Kong government refuse the demands of the demonstrators to retract the Bill, but they also described the movement as a "riot". The police used heavy handed tactics to disperse the crowds including deployment of tear gas and pepper water spray, cornering and beating up protesters with police clubs and the making of arrests.

We are writing to request Her Majesty's Government demand the Hong Kong Legislative Council retract the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance ("Extradition Bill"), which is scheduled to go through to its 2nd and 3rd readings on 12th June.

Under the current law, the judicial system in the territory is largely independent. Where an individual has been accused of breaching the laws of another country, that accused cannot be extradited by the Hong Kong Government without proper proceedings.

We are therefore greatly concerned that the Government of the Peoples Republic of China may in future be able to exert influence over Hong Kong and the rights and freedoms of individuals including foreign nationals through the use of the Extradition Bill. Under the amended law, an accused can be extradited to any non contracting country (including China) without due process.

The amendment could also have a major impact on the credibility of the independence of the Hong Kong legal system that has been based on Common Law, and to the freedom of British citizens who live in or outside of Hong Kong. Chinese criminal law applies beyond the boundaries of China. Therefore, a foreign citizen could commit an offence under Chinese law even if they are not located in China and/or has never been to China. If the Bill is passed, China can request the Hong Kong Government arrest this citizen the moment they set foot in Hong Kong and send them to mainland China for trial.

It can also be used against dissidents or those critical of the Chinese Government, even if such criticism were made overseas. This does not only affect the freedom of speech of the citizens of Hong Kong, but also to those of the United Kingdom. British citizens can be arrested without trial when they enter Hong Kong only because they had criticised the Chinese Government in the United Kingdom.

The amendment can affect the safety of British citizens in Hong Kong, particularly where, for example, the Chinese government undertakes large-scale anti corruption measures. There have been reports of businessmen being charged for corruption or breaches of accounting rules (without sufficient evidence) who were subsequently made bankrupt. Under the new law, they would lose the protection of the Hong Kong legal system.

The Basic Law in Hong Kong guaranteed the freedom of press and fair trial under the protection of the Hong Kong judicial legal system. It is guaranteed by the British Government under the Sino British Joint Declaration 1984.