The UK report called for the immediate release of Causeway Bay bookseller Lee Bo. Photo: RTHK
A UK report on Hong Kong has expressed concern over the implementation of the One Country, Two Systems Principle in the city.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond's report to the parliament, released overnight on Thursday, highlighted the possible abduction of Causeway Bay bookseller Lee Bo and the row about academic freedom as major concerns.
"Our current information indicates that Mr Lee was involuntarily removed to the mainland without any due process under Hong Kong SAR law", Hammond wrote in a foreword.
The report said if Lee was indeed taken across the border by mainland agents, that would constitute a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and undermine the principle of One Country, Two Systems. It also said law enforcement in Hong Kong is exclusively the responsibility of city's authorities and called for the immediate release of Lee who holds a British passport.
The report also noted the possibility of deteriorating academic freedom in Hong Kong, in particular over appointments and policies.
It highlighted the decision by the governing body of the University of Hong Kong not to appoint pro-democracy scholar, Professor Johannes Chan, as the institution's vice-chancellor. The report also highlighted, as a cause for concern, the appointment of former education secretary and Executive Councillor, Arthur Li, as the chairman of the governing body despite opposition from many people.
The document added that institutional autonomy is one of the fundamental freedoms protected by the Joint Declaration, and stressed London will continue to keep a close watch on developments.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1241768-20160212.htm
