Chinese LibDems Policy Statement on HK

Since July, as the situation in Hong Kong worsened, CLD and other Lib Dems had made several responses. An emergency motion was submitted to the Autumn conference (on inter alia the rights of BNO passport holders) which was not successful in being selected for debate. CLD also wrote to the UK Foreign Secretary and received a polite reply, and Alistair Carmichael MP, the Lib Dem Chief Whip, had put out a statement deploring police violence in HK.

One issue we have is that the Lib Dem responses to Hong Kong was reactive and uncoordinated, in part due to rapid changes in events. There were little consultations amongst ourselves. As many CLD members are from Hong Kong or have friends and families in Hong Kong, we would like to have inputs and be part of Lib Dem formal responses in accordance with an agreed policy framework. Hence, it was felt that CLD should propose an agreed policy that we can share with Lib Dem leaders and others that have concerns or who issue public statements concerning Hong Kong.

The policy statements which the CLD Executive discussed and agreed are:

1. We call upon the Governments of UK and China to uphold the Sino-British Joint Declaration, one country two systems principle and the Basic Law.
   
   
2. We continue to lobby the UK government to grant Hong Kong BNOs right of abode in the UK and to offer assistance and political asylum to individuals from Hong Kong where their human rights are being violated due to their political beliefs.
   
   
3. We support peaceful protests, demonstration and civil disobedience. We do not support intolerance, bigotry, aggression and violence from the police and protestors from all sides.
   
   
4. We urge the HK Government and the protestors, community leaders, professional groups and all other stakeholders to engage in real and meaningful dialogue to address, resolve and/or compromise over the five demands and other social, economic and political issues.
   
   

Going forward, we would like a closer collaboration with the Lib Dem leaders (especially with the shadow Foreign and Home Secretaries) to undertake the following actions.

1. Share the policy statements amongst Lib Dem groups concerned about HK and international affairs
2. Write formally to the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary
3. Agree what we should do during the Spring Conference - another motion, a fringe meeting?

We welcome your comments on the policy statements and proposed actions. We will make further tweaks depending on the feedback received.