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Leading Hong Kong activist accuses Cameron of selling out campaigners Leading Hong Kong activist accuses Cameron of selling out campaigners
(about 4 hours later)
One of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy campaigners has accused David Cameron of selling out activists in the territory “for 30 pieces of silver,” and said that the British prime minister has not been strong enough in his criticism of Beijing’s response to the crackdown on protestors. One of Hong Kong’s leading pro-democracy campaigners has accused David Cameron of selling out activists in the territory “for 30 pieces of silver,” and said that the British prime minister has not been strong enough in his criticism of Beijing’s response to the crackdown on protesters.
On Tuesday Cameron said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Hong Kong, but the prime minister has failed to back the demands of the pro-democracy campaigners, who argue that China’s tight restrictions on candidates for the post of chief executive ahead of 2017 elections violate the joint agreement signed by Britain and Hong Kong in 1997.On Tuesday Cameron said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Hong Kong, but the prime minister has failed to back the demands of the pro-democracy campaigners, who argue that China’s tight restrictions on candidates for the post of chief executive ahead of 2017 elections violate the joint agreement signed by Britain and Hong Kong in 1997.
On Tuesday night tens of thousands of demonstrators packed the city’s downtown area for a third night as protest leaders warned they would step up their actions if Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, did not meet them by midnight.On Tuesday night tens of thousands of demonstrators packed the city’s downtown area for a third night as protest leaders warned they would step up their actions if Hong Kong’s chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, did not meet them by midnight.
Wednesdayis China’s National Day – celebrating the foundation of the People’s Republic by the Communist party – and a public holiday, meaning more people will be free to protest.Wednesdayis China’s National Day – celebrating the foundation of the People’s Republic by the Communist party – and a public holiday, meaning more people will be free to protest.
Leung earlier said the central government would not change its mind over electoral rules and urged demonstrators to withdraw, stating: “Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I’m now asking them to fulfil the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately.”Leung earlier said the central government would not change its mind over electoral rules and urged demonstrators to withdraw, stating: “Occupy Central founders had said repeatedly that if the movement is getting out of control, they would call for it to stop. I’m now asking them to fulfil the promise they made to society, and stop this campaign immediately.”
The UK deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said he would summon China’s ambassador this week to express his “alarm and dismay”, adding that the people of Hong Kong were “perfectly entitled” to expect free, fair and open elections.The UK deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, said he would summon China’s ambassador this week to express his “alarm and dismay”, adding that the people of Hong Kong were “perfectly entitled” to expect free, fair and open elections.
But in an interview with the Guardian, the veteran pro-democracy campaigner Martin Lee called on Cameron to play of more high-profile diplomatic role.But in an interview with the Guardian, the veteran pro-democracy campaigner Martin Lee called on Cameron to play of more high-profile diplomatic role.
Lee said: “Cameron should talk to the Chinese leadership. He should say: “What the hell is happening? You promised Hong Kong democracy. How can you reverse that?” Cameron needs to intervene and say democracy means genuine democracy. You can’t give the vote without giving the right to nominate candidates. He should do more.”Lee said: “Cameron should talk to the Chinese leadership. He should say: “What the hell is happening? You promised Hong Kong democracy. How can you reverse that?” Cameron needs to intervene and say democracy means genuine democracy. You can’t give the vote without giving the right to nominate candidates. He should do more.”
Lee, a former legislator and the founding chairman of the Democratic party, said Downing Street was a co-signatory with Chinese officials to the joint declaration – the 1984 document that guaranteed civil liberties and enshrined the former colony’s “One country, two systems” policy. The UK should therefore be shaping events and playing a more high-profile diplomatic role, he said, adding: “Britain certainly has the right to say something.” Lee, a former legislator and the founding chairman of the Democratic party, said Downing Street was a co-signatory with Chinese officials to the joint declaration – the 1984 document that guaranteed civil liberties and enshrined the former colony’s “one country, two systems” policy. The UK should therefore be shaping events and playing a more high-profile diplomatic role, he said, adding: “Britain certainly has the right to say something.”
Lee and other pro-democracy activists visited London over the summer, only to be rebuffed by Cameron and other senior ministers, who refused to meet them. Weeks earlier Cameron had hosted the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang. Lee did meet the Clegg, who backed calls for Hong Kong’s leader to be directly elected. Lee and other pro-democracy activists visited London over the summer, only to be rebuffed by Cameron and other senior ministers, who refused to meet them. Weeks earlier Cameron had hosted the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang. Lee did meet Clegg, who backed calls for Hong Kong’s leader to be directly elected.
On Tuesday Clegg sent a series of supportive tweets, including: “I sympathise a great deal with the brave pro-democracy demonstrators taking to the streets of Hong Kong.”He said the UK remained committed to the joint declaration and said that “universal suffrage must mean real choice” for voters and “a proper stake in the 2017 election”.On Tuesday Clegg sent a series of supportive tweets, including: “I sympathise a great deal with the brave pro-democracy demonstrators taking to the streets of Hong Kong.”He said the UK remained committed to the joint declaration and said that “universal suffrage must mean real choice” for voters and “a proper stake in the 2017 election”.
Lee, a QC and senior counsel, said article 26 of the joint declaration was explicit. It guaranteed the right of every permanent resident of Hong Kong to vote and to stand for election “in accordance with the law”. China’s plan to hand pick candidates violated this. He said that the prime minister appeared more interested in lucrative trade deals than fundamental rights. Asked why Cameron had declined to meet him earlier this year, he said: “I think he was a bit ashamed. He was trying to sell us down the river for 30 pieces of silver.” Lee, a QC and senior counsel, said article 26 of the joint declaration was explicit. It guaranteed the right of every permanent resident of Hong Kong to vote and to stand for election “in accordance with the law”. China’s plan to hand-pick candidates violated this. He said that the prime minister appeared more interested in trade deals than fundamental rights. Asked why Cameron had declined to meet him earlier this year, he said: “I think he was a bit ashamed. He was trying to sell us down the river for 30 pieces of silver.”
Roderic Wye, an associate fellow with Chatham House’s Asia programme, said Britain was in a “lose lose situation” over Hong Kong. There were no easy foreign policy options, he said. If the UK sided emphatically with the Hong Kong protesters this would infuriate Beijing and bolster the Chinese narrative that the west – “outside forces” – had incited the uprising. But if it didn’t the demonstrators might legitimately accuse Downing Street of betrayal, and even spinelessness, he suggested.Roderic Wye, an associate fellow with Chatham House’s Asia programme, said Britain was in a “lose lose situation” over Hong Kong. There were no easy foreign policy options, he said. If the UK sided emphatically with the Hong Kong protesters this would infuriate Beijing and bolster the Chinese narrative that the west – “outside forces” – had incited the uprising. But if it didn’t the demonstrators might legitimately accuse Downing Street of betrayal, and even spinelessness, he suggested.
“In policy terms it’s difficult to get that balance right. The demonstrations pose a real problem, not just for the British but for others too. The question is how do you express support, to be seen to be promoting and aiding democratic forces, when the Chinese have said this is their internal affair. You want to put pressure on the Chinese, making it clear that you support the aspirations of Hong Kong, without dictating what terms these aspirations should be given.”“In policy terms it’s difficult to get that balance right. The demonstrations pose a real problem, not just for the British but for others too. The question is how do you express support, to be seen to be promoting and aiding democratic forces, when the Chinese have said this is their internal affair. You want to put pressure on the Chinese, making it clear that you support the aspirations of Hong Kong, without dictating what terms these aspirations should be given.”
Wye said that as signatory to the original deal Britain had a “locus” for talking to Beijing. He said that Chinese plans to veto certain political candidates wasn’t at odds with Hong Kong’s legal constitution – even if protesters felt it broke the democratic spirit of the agreement. “It’s not inconsistent with basic law. This says that it [the Hong Kong system] should be backed by elections. It doesn’t say anything about the surrounding processes.” Asked what he would do, if he were a foreign office official giving advice to Downing Street, he said: “I’d be tearing my hair out.”Wye said that as signatory to the original deal Britain had a “locus” for talking to Beijing. He said that Chinese plans to veto certain political candidates wasn’t at odds with Hong Kong’s legal constitution – even if protesters felt it broke the democratic spirit of the agreement. “It’s not inconsistent with basic law. This says that it [the Hong Kong system] should be backed by elections. It doesn’t say anything about the surrounding processes.” Asked what he would do, if he were a foreign office official giving advice to Downing Street, he said: “I’d be tearing my hair out.”
Lee also complained that the government had failed to condemn the widespread use of tear gas by Chinese police. “It was totally unnecessary and therefore illegal,” he said. Lee also complained that the government had failed to condemn the widespread use of tear gas by police. “It was totally unnecessary and therefore illegal,” he said.
It emerged on Tuesday that the Chinese police are using teargas sold to them by a British company under an export licence approved by the government. Chemring, based in Romsey, Hampshire, sold the CS gas to the Hong Kong authorities. The Campaign Against the Arms Trade said the UK had granted six licences worth £180,000 to sell teargas in the past four years. Speaking to the BBC’s Daily Politics show, the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said he did not condone its use against protesters. But he said they were a “legitimate export” available from large numbers of sources around the world. Chemring said it worked “in accordance with” government policy. It emerged on Tuesday that the police are using teargas sold to them by a British company under an export licence approved by the government. Chemring, based in Romsey, Hampshire, sold the CS gas to the Hong Kong authorities.
He added: “There wasn’t a word of condemnation about the use of tear gas [by police], which was totally unnecessary and therefore illegal, or the excessive use of force.” The Campaign Against the Arms Trade said the UK had granted six licences worth £180,000 to sell teargas in the past four years. Speaking to the BBC’s Daily Politics show, the foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said he did not condone its use against protesters. But he said they were a “legitimate export” available from large numbers of sources around the world. Chemring said it worked “in accordance with” government policy. He added: “There wasn’t a word of condemnation about the use of teargas [by police], which was totally unnecessary and therefore illegal, or the excessive use of force.”