Francisco Guerreiro asks the Commission to protect Hong Kong from the Chinese regime

Lisbon, June 9, 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (PAN) asked the European Commission (EC) if it is using its influence so that the People's Republic of China (PRC) improves its human rights standards, namely to respect the autonomy of Hong Kong and cease the enforcement of the new security legislation in this special administrative region.

Given that the EC is currently negotiating an extensive investment agreement with China, and recognizing that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, urged the PRC to respect Hong Kong's autonomy, Francisco Guerreiro questioned whether the institution intends to suspend these negotiations in case China does not respect its international commitments in relation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

“I express deep concerns about the introduction by the Chinese parliament of national security legislation in Hong Kong. It is a direct and intentional assault on the autonomy of the city and the region, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in the region,” the MEP comments.

See the question below:

Hong Kong's autonomy and the EU-China investment deal

I express deep concerns about the unilateral introduction by the Chinese parliament of national security legislation in Hong Kong. This is an assault on the city's and region autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. The integrity of the principle “one-country, two-systems” is in real jeopardy. I am aware that Mr Borrell has already called on the People's Republic of China to respect Hong Kong’s autonomy; however, the political, economic and judicial pressure of the Communist regime on the region is more and more dire. 

Therefore, and given the fact that the Commission is currently negotiating an important investment deal with China, I ask: 

1. Is the Commission using its economic leverage in these negotiations, urging China to improve its human rights standards, respect Hong Kong’s autonomy and halt the new security legislation?
2. Will the Commission consider suspending these negotiations, if China does not respect its international commitments towards the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong?

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