Activites

• 2004/03/12 Final act published in Official Journal
• 2003/04/08 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T5-0142/2003 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the HKSAR, based on the own-initiative report drafted by John Walls CUSHNAHAN (EPP-ED, Ireland). While acknowledging that the new accountability system has only been in existence for a short time, it took note of the criticism that it concentrates power in the hands of the Chief Executive and had the potential to politicise the civil service. The promised review of constitutional developments post 2007 should prepare for the election of the Chief Executive in 2007 and the Legislative Council in 2008 on the basis of universal suffrage. Parliament was concerned that recent measures relating to Hong Kong's civil service could demoralise and undermine that service, which is universally respected for its professionalism and integrity. Parliament went on to express its concern about Article 23 of the Basic Law, which would provide for heavy penalties, including imprisonment, for treason, sedition, subversion and theft of state secrets, but precise definitions of these crimes have not yet been produced. Any legislation introduced under Article 23 must not interfere with the exclusive jurisdiction of Hong Kong courts. Several aspects of the proposed Article 23 legislation were singled out as matters of particular concern. These include the proposals relating to the proscription of organisations outlawed in mainland China on national security grounds and the totally inadequate appeal mechanism, which runs contrary to the spirit of Article 35 of the Basic Law. On the matter of human rights, Parliament called for a Statutory Human Rights Commission and urged the HKSAR government to undertake measures for a just solution to the problem of families split between Hong Kong and mainland China, including those whose family members had to return to mainland China after having their permanent residence in Hong Kong revoked by the re-interpretation of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the N.P.C. Parliament was also concerned by the comments made by the Chief Executive to the LegCo on the 14 June 2001, when he described the Falun Gong as an "evil cult". It stated its strong opposition to any move on the part of the Hong Kong authorities to ban the Falun Gong. It must be recognised that the great majority of practitioners in no way threaten the authority of the government. Parliament felt equally that the Falun Gong should pursue its right to practice in a responsible and nonconfrontational manner. Finally, on the SARS outbreak, Parliament criticised the lack of transparency, lack of information-sharing and unnecessary delays Chinese authorities in responding to the discovery of the deadly respiratory disease. Hong Kong's further integration with the Pearl River Delta (the Guangdong province) should not exclusively be about building roads and bridges and easing border control but should also promote public health and disease cooperation. An alert system must be established. Parliament asked the Commission to explore possible areas for cooperation between the EU and the HKSAR where there can be exchanges of experience and ideas, particularly in the fields of education, the environment, and cross-border cooperation.�

• 2003/03/25 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0112/2003
• 2003/01/16 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2002/08/05 Non-legislative basic document published
  • COM(2002)0450 summary

    This document consists of the fourth annual report from the Commission on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). As in the Commission's previous annual reports, this report aims to assess the state of the development of the Hong Kong SAR and its relations with the European Union. In its report, the Commission believes that after four and half years after the hand-over, the implementation of the "one country, two systems " principle continues to draw the close attention and interest of the European Union. The report considers that the "one country, two systems" principle continues to function well, although its implementation causes some debate and concerns, notably in relation to the right of abode but also in relation to the exercise of other rights and freedoms. Institutional developments such as the introduction of the so-called accountability system, the election of the Chief Executive by an Election Committee and democratic development were also reported to be the subject of concern or public debate. The EU intends to strengthen relations with Hong Kong in all areas where it has retained its autonomy as provided for under the Basic Law of the Special Administrative Region. As a first step, the EU and Hong Kong signed a Customs Cooperation Agreement in May 1999, providing mutual administrative assistance including the exchange of information on possible breaches of customs law and establishing a Joint Committee to oversee its proper functioning. Moreover, the Commission welcomes the commitments given by the Central People's Government and the Hong Kong SAR Government to maintain and safeguard the "one country, two systems" principle. The implementation of the principle during 2001 showed that in broad terms, Hong Kong maintained its unique and separate identity within China. The Commission acknowledges the statement of President Jiang Zemin that the HKSAR Government should handle such issues as the Falun Gong. The safeguarding of Hong Kong's system of values and its high degree of autonomy require the full and unequivocal commitment and vigilance of both the Mainland and Hong Kong authorities. The report highlights that it is inevitable that in the coming years public attention in Hong Kong will increasingly focus on the question of democratic development. The Basic Law stipulates that the ultimate aim is universal suffrage. It also includes provision for the Hong Kong people to have their say, in 2007, in deciding the timetable according to which this should be achieved. A free and open debate on this question in the next few years will be an valuable re-affirmation of the concept of one country, two systems, and offer further re-assurance both within Hong Kong and outside that Hong Kong people really are running Hong Kong with the promised high degree of autonomy. The EU will continue to watch developments very closely, particularly concerning the possible introduction of anti-cult legislation and its effect on freedom of expression in Hong Kong.�

  • DG ['External Relations'],

Documents

• Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2002)0450
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A5-0112/2003
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0142/2003

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)