James Sunderland asks the Prime Minister what message he has for the people of Hong Kong following the passage this week of China’s new national security law.
James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con)
What message might the Prime Minister have for the people of Hong Kong following the passage this week of China’s new national security law? [904111]
The Prime Minister
We stand for rules and obligations, and think that they are the soundest basis for our international relations. The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration. It violates Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong Basic Law. The national security law also threatens the freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration. We made it clear that if China continued down this path, we would introduce a new route for those with British national overseas status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK, and thereafter to apply for citizenship; and that is precisely what we will do now.