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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| China blocks British MPs' visit to Hong Kong | China blocks British MPs' visit to Hong Kong |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Chinese embassy has told a group of MPs it will be stopped from making a planned trip to Hong Kong. | The Chinese embassy has told a group of MPs it will be stopped from making a planned trip to Hong Kong. |
| Sir Richard Ottoway, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, accused the Chinese authorities of acting in an "overtly confrontational manner". | Sir Richard Ottoway, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, accused the Chinese authorities of acting in an "overtly confrontational manner". |
| His committee is examining relations between the UK and its former colony, where pro-democracy activists have been protesting since September. | His committee is examining relations between the UK and its former colony, where pro-democracy activists have been protesting since September. |
| The demonstrators want elections free from interference by Beijing. | The demonstrators want elections free from interference by Beijing. |
| Sir Richard said he had been warned that if he and fellow MPs attempted to travel to Hong Kong as part of the inquiry they would be refused entry. | Sir Richard said he had been warned that if he and fellow MPs attempted to travel to Hong Kong as part of the inquiry they would be refused entry. |
| "The Chinese government are acting in an overtly confrontational manner in refusing us access to do our job," he stated. | "The Chinese government are acting in an overtly confrontational manner in refusing us access to do our job," he stated. |
| 'Highly inappropriate' | |
| Sir Richard added that he would request an emergency Commons debate on the issue. | Sir Richard added that he would request an emergency Commons debate on the issue. |
| Chinese authorities condemned the committee's inquiry when it was announced in September. | |
| The Chinese Foreign Affairs Committee charged its UK counterpart with carrying out a "highly inappropriate act which constitutes interference in China's internal affairs". | |
| When the Commons committee took evidence from Lord Patten, former governor of Hong Kong, he criticised British politicians for not doing enough to support democracy there. | |
| The Conservative peer suggested ministers should speak out publicly rather than talking "behind their hands". |