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Protests reignited in Hong Kong as Beijing introduced the National Security law in May of this year. By passing it through the National People’s Congress, effectively a rubber stamping press for the CCP, China is undermining Hong Kong’s Basic Law and making a mockery of its civil liberties.

The National Security Law represents a draconian provision that undermines the principles of free speech and other civil liberties that we take for granted every day in the West. As protests against police brutality take place in the US, UK and Europe, we should not forget that Hong Kongers have been contending with the brutality of a CCP controlled police force since 2014’s Umbrella Movement.

Hong Kongers are worried, angry, and calling for help. We have a duty to answer.

The US has declared that it no longer sees Hong Kong as autonomous. The UK has announced that it plans, should China pass the National Security Law, to open a pathway to citizenship for Hong Kongers. But does this go far enough?

There are many serious questions to be asked regarding the future of Hong Kong and Britain’s relations with China. Can the UK maintain a positive economic relationship with China while doing its duty by Hong Kong? Can and should the UK go further than a path to citizenship for Hong Kongers, or should it accept the “one country, two systems” approach is over?

Panellists:

Joshua Wong, Co-Founder and Secretary General of Demosisto, a pro-democracy party campaigning to protect Hong Kong’s autonomy.

Lisa Nandy, Shadow Foreign Secretary and MP for Wigan.

Tom Tugendhat, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and founder of the recently formed “China Research Group”.

Benedict Rogers, Co-founder of Hong Kong Watch.

John Macdonald, Head of Government Affairs, Adam Smith Institute (Host)