The European Union “invited” the Chinese authorities, on Friday 5 March, to “carefully consider the political and economic implications of any decision to reform the electoral system of Hong Kong that would undermine fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and democratic principles”.
The day before, the Chinese National People’s Congress announced that it would deliberate on amending the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This decision is expected on 11 March.
“If enacted, this reform could have far-reaching negative consequences for democratic principles and democratically elected-representatives in Hong Kong” were the concerns expressed by the spokeswoman for the European External Action Service. She said the reform would also run counter to previous electoral reforms in Hong Kong. It would go back on the commitments made in Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law to introduce universal suffrage in the elections of the Chief Executive and Legislative Council, the spokesperson also considered.
She therefore warned that the EU stands ready to take additional steps in response to any further serious deterioration of political freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong, which would be against China’s domestic and international obligations, as agreed by EU Foreign Ministers on 22 February (see EUROPE 12664/6). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)