In their annual report on economic and political developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), published on Wednesday 26 April, the European Commission and European External Action Service (EEAS) welcomed the fact that the guiding principle of the rule of law in Hong Kong had been maintained despite a “politically difficult” year in 2016 for the SAR. It has seen the emergence of political groups advocating self-determination or independence but its "one country, two systems’ principle” that the EU adheres to, had been upheld.
Although it has had to confront several “politically sensitive” legal controls and an interpretation of the Constitution (Basic Law) of the Hong Kong’s SAR by the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) of China, the judiciary of the region has continued to demonstrate its independence and adherence to due process, explains the EEAS.
The report adds that, “The rule of law remained the guiding principle” for the government, economic stakeholders and the population at large in Hong Kong. Anti-corruption action remained “strong”, good governance indicators were “positive” and freedom of speech and freedom of information “were generally upheld”.
However, the EEAS explains that “negative trends” were observed with regard to press freedom and in the publishing industry “as a result of caution and self-censorship on the part of those reporting on domestic and foreign policy developments in the People's Republic of China”. The EEAS cites the case of the five book publishers who went missing in 2015 and the fact that the “circumstances of their disappearance have yet to be clarified”.
Trade, economic and cultural relations between the European Union and Hong Kong have been “growing steadily”. The European Union has remained Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after mainland China, while Hong Kong was the EU’s 14th largest trading partner. The report explains that the EU is looking forward to “further strengthening and expanding” this relationship.
The EU hopes that the Hong Kong SAR and China’s central government will resume electoral reform in Hong Kong in line with the Basic Law and reach an agreement on an election system that is “democratic, fair, open and transparent”. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)