2017/2204(INI) | [ParlTrack]

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2017/2204(INI) Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. Recommendation to the Council, the Commission, and the EEAS

Role	Committee	Rapporteur	Shadows
Lead	AFET	SMITH Alyn (Verts/ALE)	ŠUICA Dubravka (EPP), PICULA Tonino (S&D), BELDER Bas (ECR), PAET Urmas (ALDE), SCHOLZ Helmut (GUE/NGL), CASTALDO Fabio Massimo (EFD)

Lead committee dossier: AFET/8/11119
Legal Basis RoP 011

Subjects

6.40.08 Relations with Asian countries

Links

Activites

2017/12/13 Results of vote in Parliament
- Results of vote in Parliament
- T8-0495/2017 summary
  
  The European Parliament adopted by 443 votes to 95, with 84 abstentions, a resolution on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. The recommendations on Hong Kong mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover from the United Kingdom to China on 1 July 1997. Members recalled that the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) stipulates that Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and independence of the executive, legislature and judiciary for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty. The EU is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after mainland China. Hong Kong is the EU’s 14th largest trading partner in goods and a key partner for trade in services. Parliament recommended to the Council, the Commission and the Vice President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to address the following issues: One China, but two systems: the EU and the European Parliament remain strong supporters of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China as laid down in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. This principle is of key importance for the further strengthening of present and future relations with the EU. Members condemned the constant interference of the PRC in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, which may put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model. Bilateral dialogue: Parliament recommended that the EU reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a wide range of topics and policy areas, such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, trade, investment, financial services, customs, the environment, climate change, research and education, to support the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Reform and elections: Parliament supported the start of a political reform process that grants the people of the SAR the right to elect and to be elected in the selection process for top leadership positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion. The Governments of Hong Kong and China must maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the reform of universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, in order to have an election system that is democratic, fair, open and transparent. Democracy, multi-party politics and freedom of the press: Members expressed concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups. They condemned threats to the personal safety of pro-democracy politicians, including abductions and physical violence, as reported by some lawmakers. They also expressed concern at the steady deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, with growing pressure on the media, both print and electronic, increasing self-censorship with regard to covering sensitive issues on mainland China or concerning the Hong Kong Government, and the tightening of control over the sale of sensitive political books by monopolising ownership of almost all storefront bookshops. EU support: Members recommended that the EU find ways to support the independence of the judiciary which is under some pressure as well as support Hong Kong’s civil society, in particular organisations that uphold universal values, promote human rights and support the independence of the judiciary and press freedom. Tax co-operation: Parliament has asked for proposals on how to develop cooperation with the Hong Kong authorities in the area of tax transparency, including Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), the combating of money laundering and terrorist funding. North Korea: lastly, Members noted with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions in which the largest share of North Korean-controlled front companies have been operating. The recalled that joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the most recent UN Security Council resolution (2388) and Members urged the Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea.
2017/12/12 Debate in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament
2017/11/28 Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
- A8-0382/2017 summary
  
  The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK) on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. The recommendations on Hong Kong mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover from the United Kingdom to China on 1 July 1997. Members recalled that the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) stipulates that Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and independence of the executive, legislature and judiciary for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty. It made the following points in its recommendations tothe Council, the Commission and the Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: One China, but two systems: the committee confirmed that the EU and the European Parliament remain strong supporters of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China. This principle is of key importance for the further strengthening of present and future relations with the EU, and it should be underlined to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and China that intervening in Hong Kong's internal affairs has the potential to undermine that principle and should therefore be avoided. Members condemned the constant interference of the PRC in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, which may put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model. Bilateral dialogue: Members recommended that the EU reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a wide range of topics and policy areas, such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, trade, investment, financial services, customs, the environment, climate change, research and education, to support the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Reform and elections: the report supported the start of a political reform process that grants the people of the SAR the right to elect and to be elected in the selection process for top leadership positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion. The Governments of Hong Kong and China must maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the reform of universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, in order to have an election system that is democratic, fair, open and transparent. Press freedom and harassment of opposition political parties: Members expressed concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups. They condemned threats to the personal safety of pro-democracy politicians, including abductions and physical violence, as reported by some lawmakers. They also expressed concern at the steady deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, with growing pressure on the media, both print and electronic, increasing self-censorship with regard to covering sensitive issues on mainland China or concerning the Hong Kong Government, and the tightening of control over the sale of sensitive political books by monopolising ownership of almost all storefront bookshops. EU support: Members recommended that the EU find ways to support the independence of the judiciary which is under some pressure as well as support Hong Kong’s civil society, in particular organisations that uphold universal values, promote human rights and support the independence of the judiciary and press freedom. North Korea: lastly, Members noted with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions in which the largest share of North Korean-controlled front companies have been operating. Joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the most recent UN Security Council resolution (2388) and Members urged the Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea.
2017/11/21 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2017/10/05 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading

Documents

Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A8-0382/2017
Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T8-0495/2017

Amendments	Dossier
101	2017/2204(INI) 2017/10/25 AFET 101 amendments... Amendment 1 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Citation 3 a (new) – having regard to the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative, "Elements for a new EU strategy on China", JOIN(2016) 30 final, of 22 June 2016, the Communication of the Commission "Trade for All", COM (2015)0497 final, of 15 October 2015, and the Council conclusions "EU Strategy on China" of 18 July 2016, Amendment 10 # Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas the 10th annual Structured Dialogue meeting between the European Union and the Government of the Hong Kong SAR took place in Brussels on 17 November 2016; Amendment 100 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point w (w) to underline ~~to the Chinese authorities~~ that full respect for Hong Kong’s autonomy ~~could provide the model for a process of deep democratic political reforms in China and for the gradual liberalisation and opening up of Chinese society~~and democratic aspirations could inspire further political and social reforms in China; Amendment 101 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point w a (new) (wa) to underline the European Union’s commitment to strengthening democracy, including the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, fundamental freedoms and rights, transparency, and freedom of information and expression in Hong Kong; Amendment 11 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas the European Union and Hong Kong carryout annual high-level dialogue called the Structured Dialogue, which was initiated in 2005; Amendment 12 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Recital C b (new) Cb. whereas in 2016 the EU was Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after mainland China, and Hong Kong was the EU’s 14th largest trading partner in goods and a key partner for trade in services; Amendment 13 # Motion for a resolution Recital C b (new) Cb. whereas bilateral relations between the EU and Hong Kong were further strengthened in 2016; whereas the EU was Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after China; Amendment 14 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas Hong Kong’s defence and ~~external political~~foreign affairs are within the remit of the Government of the People’s Republic of China; Amendment 15 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas the Basic Law gives the Hong Kong SAR the right to organise its own external economic relations and to become a member of international organisations; Amendment 16 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas Hong Kong is a member or associate member of more than 20 international organizations including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Interpol, Bank for International Settlements(BIS), Asian Development Bank (ADB, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB), the International Olympic Committee, International Chamber of Commerce ,International Confederation of Free Trade Unions; Amendment 17 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital D b (new) Db. whereas even after 1 July 1997 existing agreements on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and international human rights agreements have continued to apply; whereas the People’s Republic of China has also signed and ratified international agreements guaranteeing these rights and thus acknowledged the significance and universality of human rights; whereas China has established forums for dialogue with the EU and other international partners on matters linked to the rule of law; Amendment 18 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital D b (new) Db. whereas Hong Kong is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR); Amendment 19 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital D c (new) Dc. whereas the Basic Law sets down protection for human rights and individual freedoms; Amendment 2 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas the sovereignty o~~ver Hong Kong was transferred from~~f the People’s Republic of China over Hong Kong was restored on 1 July 1997 and in this way the occupation by force of Chinese territory by British colonial troops was brought to end by means of negotiations and compromises between the United Kingdom toand the People’s Republic of China ~~on 1 July 1997~~; Amendment 20 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law stipulate that the ~~Chief Executive~~head of government and all members of the Legislative Council should ultimately be elected by universal suffrage; whereas the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China has decided that the provisions of the Basic Law on the head of government should be implemented at the earliest in 2017 and those on the parliament not before 2020; Amendment 21 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas the People’s Republic of China ~~(PRC) State Council issued a white paper on the p~~has sole power to set up special administracticve ~~of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy in Hong Kong on 10 June 2014, stressing that the autonomy of the Hong Kong SAR~~regions on its territory and endow them with rights which grant them a measure of autonomy; whereas on 10 June 2014 the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Council reiterated this position in its ~~ultimately subject to central PRC government’s authorisation~~white paper on the practice of the ‘one country, two systems’ policy; Amendment 22 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital H H. whereas ~~Hong Kong’s trad~~following the politioncal ~~open~~and soci~~ety has paved the way for the development of a genuine~~al protests against the policies of the colonial authorities in the late 1960s and independent civil society thats developed and is seeking to take an actively and constructive~~ly takes~~ part in the public life of the SAR; Amendment 23 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas Hong Kong’s civil society ~~has~~, which has done much to raised public awareness of political ~~rights,~~freedoms and problems linked to health care, environmental issues and protection, climate change, women’s political participation, the rights of domestic workers, LGBTI rights, religion, and academic and cultural freedoms, has been able to secure strong popular support when it has combined efforts to safeguard existing freedoms with the fight to secure social rights with a view to addressing the extreme social inequalities in Hong Kong; Amendment 24 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas Hong Kong’s civil society has raised public awareness of civil and political rights, health care, environment, climate change, women’s political participation, the rights of domestic workers, LGBTI rights, religion, and academic and cultural freedoms; Amendment 25 # Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas Hong Kong’s civil society has raised public awareness of political rights, religion, health care, environment, climate change, women’s political participation, the rights of domestic workers, LGBTI rights, ~~religion,~~ and academic and cultural freedoms; Amendment 26 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital I a (new) Ia. whereas, despite years of stable economic development, the Hong Kong SAR faces complex international and economic and social challenges which will call for far-reaching adjustment processes: whereas these adjustments are bound up with the search for a sustainable development model, and whereas, in that connection, the SAR Government is focusing on economic diversification, reindustrialisation, in particular in sectors which generate high local revenues and which offer significant potential for technological innovation, gearing the economy to the major projects being carried out by the People’s Republic of China, such as the new Silk Road and closer integration in the Pearl River delta region, and on addressing glaring social inequalities and improving Hong Kong’s poor environmental record; Amendment 27 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital I b (new) Ib. whereas, according to the UNCTAD World Investment Report, in 2016 the Hong Kong SAR was the world’s second-largest target market for foreign direct investment; whereas almost two- thirds of the direct investment funds arriving in Hong Kong come from tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands or the Cayman Islands and these funds, if they are not diverted to the People’s Republic of China, are channelled directly into the overheated property and business services sector and thus exacerbate the serious housing crisis in Hong Kong; whereas even in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations the SAR Government has made only paltry efforts to meet OECD requirements as regards legislative measures to combat base erosion and profit shifting; Amendment 28 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas Hong Kong enjoys a lively multi-party system; whereas, over the years, the people of Hong Kong have witnessed mass demonstrations in favour of democracy and the full implementation of the Basic Law, including the 2014 protests by the so-called Umbrella Movement, as well as on media freedoms, and, amhas recently seen repeated mass demonstrations when local citizens’ expectations as regards gradual democratisation and the full implementation of the Basic Law were disappointed as a result of the very narrow interpretationg o~~ther things, against the disappearance of the Hong Kong booksellers~~f that document by the competent authorities of the People’s Republic of China; Amendment 29 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital J a (new) Ja. whereas the main reason for the economic success of the Hong Kong SAR thus far has been the extremely lax regulatory regime in the area of workers’ rights and industrial relations; whereas today Hong Kong society is deeply divided and polarised, because the wealth generated has been distributed very unevenly; whereas according to Oxfam Hong Kong 1.2 million inhabitants of the SAR (20% of the population) and almost one-third of the population over the age of 65 live below the poverty line, even though the SAR has more than 100 000 millionaires; whereas large sections of the population have no decent housing; whereas some people are forced to live in metal cages, incessant speculation means that housing is only available at exorbitant rents and social housing is allocated only after an average waiting period of roughly five years, if at all; Amendment 3 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed under international law, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR stipulate~~s that Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and~~d as a constitutional principle, that Hong Kong would retain for 50 years from the handover of sovereignty, as an integral part of a unified People’s Republic of China, monetary, tax and legal systems, including an independen~~ce of the~~t executive, legislature and judiciary ~~for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty~~, separate from those of the People’s Republic and budgetary autonomy; whereas, under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, key aspects of the structure of the State are subject to oversight and intervention by the central state authorities and the power to interpret the Basic Law lies with the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China; Amendment 30 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital J b (new) Jb. whereas the SAR Government has taken the first steps towards implementing an active social policy, but individual aspects of that policy, such as the new minimum wage of EUR 4 per hour, are not even enough to offset Hong Kong’s low inflation and social security systems are inadequate to address social problems, given the number of recipients and the range of benefits involved; Amendment 31 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas, during the last 20 years, some journalists and other media workers, often supporters of democrats and expressing critical views, have been forced to resign, moved to cover less sensitive areas and even physically attacked;deleted Amendment 32 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas, during the last 20 years, some journalists and other media workers, often supporters of democrats and expressing critical views, have been forced to resign, moved to cover less sensitive areas and ~~even physically attacked~~in some cases even threatened with violence; Amendment 33 # Hilde VAUTMANS Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas, during the last 20 years, some journalists and other media workers, often supporters of democratscy and expressing critical views, have been forced to resign, moved to cover less sensitive areas and even physically attacked; Amendment 34 # Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas, at the end of 2015, four Hong Kong residents and one non-resident associated with the publishing house Mighty Current and its bookshop disappeared and, months later, information emerged that they were detained in mainland China in undisclosed locations, and, ~~following confessions of wrongdoing,~~ one of the released booksellers reported that his confession of wrongdoing had been forced; Amendment 35 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas in January 2017 the Environment Bureau published the cross- sectoral ‘Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2030+’,which following the Paris Climate Agreement sets new targets for carbon emissions reducing carbon intensity by two-thirds and absolute carbon emissions by one-third by 2030 in comparison to 2005 base line; Amendment 36 # Fabio Massimo CASTALDO Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas Hong Kong offers high-level training provision and a high academic level, but academic freedom is in danger because of the repeated interferences by China’s central government, particularly as regards university council appointments; Amendment 37 # Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas a poll conducted at regular intervals by Hong Kong University’s public opinion programme catalogues a long decline in identification with China; Amendment 38 # Hilde VAUTMANS Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. having regard to the importance of the port of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China and international trade; Amendment 39 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Recital M b (new) Mb. whereas Hong Kong published its first Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) in December 2016, which aims to strengthen conservation by increasing protected areas in country parks and marine parks, mainstreaming biodiversity in future planning and development projects, improving knowledge and promoting community involvement; Amendment 4 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR stipulates that ~~Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and independence of the~~the National People's Congress authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislaturive and ~~judiciary~~independent judicial power for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty; Amendment 40 # Fabio Massimo CASTALDO Motion for a resolution Recital M b (new) Mb. whereas recent studies have shown that 40% of the population of Hong Kong would like to emigrate, particularly young people between the ages of 18 and 30, and that among the main reasons for this are a sense of frustration and powerlessness regarding the future of the region, the continuous political disputes and the interferences of the Chinese central government; Amendment 41 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a (a) while adhering and respecting the EU's ‘One China’ policy, to stress with the authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People’s Republic of China thate importance of fully respecting the ‘One country, two systems’ principle ~~is of key importance for the development of present and future relations with the EU~~; Amendment 42 # Hilde VAUTMANS Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a (a) to stress with the authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People’s Republic of China that fully respecting the ‘One country, two systems’ principle is of key importance for the development of present and future relations with the EU;Does not affect the English version.) Amendment 43 # Fabio Massimo CASTALDO Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a (a) to stress with the authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People’s Republic of China that fully respecting the ‘One country, two systems’ principle is of key importance for the development of present and future relations with the EU and that the increasing meddling in the internal affairs of Hong Kong has the potential to call this principle into question and should therefore be avoided; Amendment 44 # Cristian Dan PREDA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a a (new) (aa) to condemn the constant interference of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong internal affairs which might put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model; Amendment 45 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a a (new) (aa) to further strengthen and expand the EU's relations with the Hong Kong SAR, while confirming its "One China" policy, and promoting respect for the Basic Law and the "One Country, Two Systems" principle; Amendment 46 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a b (new) (ab) to reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, not least through the annual EU-Hong Kong Structured Dialogue, on a wide range of policy areas, such as trade, investment, financial services, customs, environment, climate change, research and education as well as to support the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and to continue annual reporting by the HR/VP and the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on developments in Hong Kong; Amendment 47 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point a c (new) (ac) to urge the Hong Kong Government to take more effective measures against tax evasion and tax fraud and to take measures to monitor and sanction firms that facilitate tax evasion and fraud through their subsidiaries in Hong Kong; Amendment 48 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point b (b) to acknowledge that, over time, Hong Kong evolved into an open society in which citizens enjoy human rights, freedoms, high standards of public health and safety, transparency, have a judiciary which is trusted and where the rule of law and low levels of corruption prevail, and that the people of Hong Kong have a legitimate right to expect to continue enjoying their way of life and these rights and values under a high degree of autonomy, in line with the Basic Law; Amendment 49 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point c (c) to emphasise that respecting Hong Kong’s autonomy is essential for its further positive development and favourable relations with the mainland~~, and for the relations and the dialogue of the People’s Republic of China with Taiwan~~; Amendment 5 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the European Union and the Parliament ~~remain strong supporters of the~~unconditionally support the two principles set out in the 1984 Sino- British Joint Declaration governing the restoration of the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over Hong Kong, namely ‘one country, two systems’ ~~principle and Hong Kong’s~~and ‘a higher degree of autonomy ~~under China~~’ for Hong Kong; Amendment 50 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point c (c) to emphasise that respecting Hong Kong’s autonomy is essential for its further positive development and favourable relations with the mainland~~, and for the relations and the dialogue of the People’s Republic of China with Taiwan~~; Amendment 51 # Bas BELDER, Johannes Cornelis van BAALEN Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point c (c) to emphasise that respecting Hong Kong’s autonomy is essential for its further positive development and favourable relations with the Chinese mainland, and for the re~~lations and~~sumption of the dialogue ~~of the People’s Republic of China with~~s between the mainland and Taiwan; Amendment 52 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point d (d) to commit fully to supporting Hong Kong’s autonomy, prosperity and the rights and freedoms of its people, and to express firm support for the start of a political reform process in compliance with international standards, the Basic Law which grant the people of the Special Administrative Region the right to elect and to be elected in thncourage the Hong Kong SAR and China’s central government to resume the electoral reform process in line with the Basic Law, as record turnouts in the Legislative Council (LegCo) and Election Committee selection ~~process for top l~~s show that people are eadger~~ship positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion~~ to play an active role in political life and in deciding the future of the SAR; Amendment 53 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point d (d) to commit fully to supporting Hong Kong’s autonomy, prosperity and the rights and freedoms of its people, and to express firm support for ~~the start of a~~resuming the political reform process in compliance with international standards, and the Basic Law ~~which~~in order to grant the people of the Special Administrative Region the right to elect and to be elected in the selection process for top leadership positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion; Amendment 54 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point e (e) to ~~call~~encourage, in this context, on the Governments of Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China to ~~maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the quick~~implement the provisions of the Basic Law on democratisation, for example by means of a transition to universal suffrage in the future election of the ~~Chief Executive~~head of government and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, as quickly as possible, and at least in accordance with the undertakings they themselves have given; Amendment 55 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point e (e) to call, in this context, on the Governments of Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China to maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the ~~quick transition to~~reform process towards universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong; Amendment 56 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point e (e) to call, in this context, on the Governments of Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China to maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the quick transition to universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, in order to have an election system that is democratic, fair, open and transparent; Amendment 57 # Helmut SCHOLZ (f) to find ways to support the consolidation of Hong Kong’s democracy and its multi-party system and to express concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups;deleted Amendment 58 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point f (f) ~~to find ways~~ to support the consolidation of Hong Kong’s democracy and ~~its multi-party system and to express concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups~~the emergence of an increasing multi-party system, while stressing the importance of full compliance with the Basic Law, in order to preserve stability and the rule of law; Amendment 59 # Fabio Massimo CASTALDO Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point f (f) ~~to find ways~~ to support the consolidation of Hong Kong’s democracy and its multi- party system and to express concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups; Amendment 6 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the European Union and the Parliament ~~remain strong supporters~~adhere to the ‘One China’ policy and support the continued implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ ~~principle~~ and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China; Amendment 60 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point g (g) to ~~call for the rele~~welcome the very positive findings of the last European Commission and EEAS's Hong Kong Annual Report as regards the independence of the judiciary and the full respect for the rule of law in Hong Kong; to express confidence that these high standards will result in fair findings in the case of the three leaders of the pro-democracy movement Joshua Wong, Alex Chow and Nathan Law recently sentenced to jail for between six and eight months for ‘unlawful assembly’, after having been sentenced last year to non-custodial penalties, including community service, for their participation in p~~eaceful protests, and to urge the Hong Kong Government to revise the Public Order Ordinance to bring it in line with international human rights standard~~rotests; Amendment 61 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point g (g) to call for the release of the three leaders of the pro-democracy movement Joshua Wong, Alex Chow and Nathan Law recently sentenced to jail for between six and eight months for ‘unlawful assembly’, after having been sentenced last year to non-custodial penalties, including community service, for their participation in peaceful protests, and to urge the Hong Kong Government to revise the Public Order Ordinance to bring it in line with international human rights standards and secure peace and stability in the SAR; Amendment 62 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point h (h) to welcome the record turnout in the last Legislative Council elections in 2016, while regretting that, in 2016~~, Hong Kong authorities refused to register a new pro-independence political party for the Legislative Council elections and~~ disqualified six candidates with views promoting greater autonomy for Hong Kong; Amendment 63 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point i (i) to c~~ondemn~~all for investigations on the alleged threats to the personal safety of pro-democracy politicians, including abductions and physical violence, as reported by some lawmakers; Amendment 64 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point j (j) to point out to ~~China that, even though the Basic Law, the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the ‘One country, two systems’ principle are largely respected, there are growing and widespread concerns that~~the Government of the People’s Republic of China that there are concerns in the EU that the implementation of the agreed high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong, or the legal value~~, or the spirit~~ of the Sino-British Joint Declaration have recently been called increasingly into question; Amendment 65 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point j (j) to ~~point out to China that, even though~~welcome the fact that the Basic Law, the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the ‘One country, two systems’ principle are largely respected, ~~there are growing and widespread concerns that the agreed~~and to promote the continuation of the fulfilment of the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong, ~~or the legal value, or~~in compliance with the Basic Law and the spirit of the Sino-British Joint Declaration ~~have been called into question~~; Amendment 66 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point k (k) to express deep concern about the National People’s Congress issuing interpretations, whether unsolicited or otherwise, of the Basic Law, preceding court rulings that raise doubts about the full independence of the judiciary in the individual cases in question;deleted Amendment 67 # Victor BOŞTINARU Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point k (k) to express deep concern about the National People’s Congress issuing interpretations, whether unsolicited or otherwise, of the Basic Law, preceding court rulings that raise doubts about the full independence of the judiciary in the individual cases in question;deleted Amendment 68 # Cristian Dan PREDA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point k (k) to express deep concern about the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee issuing interpretations, whether unsolicited or otherwise, of the Basic Law, preceding court rulings ~~that~~with the objective of disqualifying democratically elected legislators; to point out that this interference raises doubts about the full independence of the judiciary in the individual cases in question and endangers the rule of law in Hong Kong; to recall that the Hong Kong court system and normal judicial process should be the main instrument to resolve disputes; Amendment 69 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point k (k) to express deep concern about the National People’s Congress issuing interpretations, whether unsolicited or otherwise, of the Basic Law, preceding court rulings ~~that raise doubts about~~, and thus undermining trust in the full independence of the judiciary in the individual cases in question; Amendment 7 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the European Union and the European Parliament remain strong supporters of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China; Amendment 70 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point l (l) to emphasise that the handling of the case of the five missing booksellers has raised regrettable questions about the autonomy of the Special Administrative Region, as stated in its Basic Law, and about the lack of clarity concerning the role of mainland ~~security~~law enforcement agentcies in Hong Kong; Amendment 71 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point l a (new) (la) to express its concerns over allegations of China’s law enforcement agencies operating in Hong Kong; recalls that it would be a violation of the Basic Law if mainland law enforcement agencies had been operating in Hong Kong; believes this would be inconsistent with the ‘One country, two systems’ principle; Amendment 72 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point l a (new) (la) to encourage the authorities of the People’s Republic of China, in the interests of safeguarding legal security and stability, to implement restrictively Article 22 of the Basic Law of the SAR, which protects the autonomy of Hong Kong against ‘interference’ in areas including justice and internal security; Amendment 73 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point m (m) to underline that freedom of information and freedom of speech were generally upheld, while expressing concern at the steady deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, with growing pressure on the media, both print and electronic, increasing self- censorship with regard, in particular, to covering sensitive issues on mainland China or concerning the Hong Kong Government and the tightening of control over the sale of sensitive political books by monopolising ownership of almost all storefront bookshops; Amendment 74 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point m a (new) (ma) to urge the Government of the Hong Kong SAR to comply with internationally binding agreements; Amendment 75 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point n ~~(n) to continue the bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a variety of policy areas as well as on the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle;~~deleted Amendment 76 # Alyn SMITH Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point n (n) to ~~continue th~~reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR ~~on a variety of policy areas~~, not least through the annual EU-Hong Kong Structured Dialogue, on a wide range of topics and policy areas, such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, trade, investment, financial services, customs, environment, research and education as well as onsupport the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, and to continue annual reporting by the HR/VP and the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on developments in Hong Kong; Amendment 77 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point n (n) to continue the bilateral dialogue ~~with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a variety of policy areas~~with the Government of the People’s Republic of China and with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on closer cooperation in policy areas of shared interest as well as on the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle; Amendment 78 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point n a (new) (na) to submit to the European Parliament in the near future practical proposals as to how future cooperation with the SAR which takes account of both the autonomy rights granted to Hong Kong and the sovereignty rights of the People’s Republic of China can be addressed in the many forums for dialogue and cooperation mechanisms already established with the People’s Republic; Amendment 79 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point n b (new) (nb) to applaud the Government of the SAR for the initial steps it has taken to introduce legislation which strengthens the protection of workers, including as regards working hours and wages, and to propose the opening of a specific social welfare dialogue involving social partners and social organisations from the EU; Amendment 8 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas the purpose of the two principles is to define a ‘federal’ concept to govern the relationship between two antithetical social development processes taking place in one State and to offer scope for development; Amendment 80 # Cristian Dan PREDA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point o a (new) (oa) to encourage and support the regionally coordinated pro-democracy movements as a key tool to foster the Asian cooperation on democracy and human rights issues; Amendment 81 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point p (p) to find ways to support Hong Kong’s civil society in particular in relation to organisations upholding universal values and promoting human rights~~, and with a view to supporting the independence of the judiciary~~ and press freedom; Amendment 82 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point p (p) to find ways to support Hong Kong’s civil society in particular ~~in relation to~~ organisations upholding universal values and promoting human rights, and ~~with a view to~~that are supporting the independence of the judiciary and press freedom; Amendment 83 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point p (p) to find ways to support Hong Kong’s civil society in particular in relation to organisations upholding universal values and promoting human rights, and with a view to supporting the independence of the judiciary and press freedom; to stress that only non-violent forms of protest as well as dialogue can be the basis to carry out disputes and to appeal to the authorities to manage protest activities in a non-violent way Amendment 84 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point q (q) to encourage Hong Kong’s academic institutions to maintain the high standards of their curricula and research and to preserve academic freedoms, but to express concern, in this respect, about the procedure for the appointment of university councils, which could undermine the independence of higher education institutions; to promote the strengthening of ties between European and Hong Kong academic institutions; Amendment 85 # Fabio Massimo CASTALDO Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point q (q) to encourage Hong Kong’s academic institutions to maintain the high standards of their curricula and research and to preserve academic freedoms, but to express concern, in this respect, about the procedure for the appointment of university councils and the external interferences aimed at modifying school curricula, which could undermine the independence of higher education institutions; Amendment 86 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point r (r) to call for the timely adoption of an anti-discrimination law to ~~protect~~guarantee the rights of ~~groups such as~~women, persons with a disability, LGBTI people and foreign domestic workers and prevent discrimination on grounds of race, nationality, citizenship or residency status; Amendment 87 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point r (r) to call for the timely adoption of an anti-discrimination law ~~to protect the rights of groups such as LGBTI people and foreign domestic workers~~; Amendment 88 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point r a (new) (ra) to step up cooperation with the Task Force newly set up by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR to combat human trafficking and, in that connection, to support the development of a single legal and policy framework; Amendment 89 # Cristian Dan PREDA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point r a (new) (ra) to recommend to the legislative Council of Hong Kong to carefully examine the future legislation on the high speed rail in consultation with civil society organisations and the citizens of Hong Kong; Amendment 9 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas the EU is committed to its "One China" Policy; Amendment 90 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point s (s) to recall that the roots of Hong Kong’s society and its people are largely in immigration, including refugees from east and south-east Asia in particular, and to call, therefore, for this reason in particular, for the establishment of an appropriate refugee and migration policy addressing the plight of refugees and migrants; Amendment 91 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point s (s) to recall that ~~the roots of~~ Hong Kong’s society and its people ~~are in~~have been heavily influenced by immigration, including refugees, and to call, on the~~refore, for the establishment of an appropriate refugee policy addressing the plight of refugee~~ Hong Kong Government to bring its refugee policy in line with international standards; Amendment 92 # Hilde VAUTMANS Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point s (s) to recall that the roots of Hong Kong’s society and its people are in immigration, including refugees, and to call, therefore, for the establishment of an appropriate refugee policy addressing the plight of refugees, particularly those who are unaccompanied minors; Amendment 93 # Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point t (t) to point out that, even though recent surveys show that ~~the people~~many inhabitants of Hong Kong have a ~~common interest in~~wish to emigrat~~ing~~e, it would be unfortunate if Hong Kong could not keep its brightest and best and troubling if so many, particularly young people, awere ~~losing~~to lose their faith in the future; Amendment 94 # Urmas PAET Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point t – point i (new) (i) notes with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on the North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions where the largest share of North Korean- controlled front companies have been operating; recalls that joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the latest UN Security Council Resolution and urges Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea; Amendment 95 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point u (u) to draw the attention of the Hong Kong authorities to the fact that, according to a study, municipal waste in Hong Kong has increased by 80 % in the past decade, which is more than double that of the population growth, and to assist them in developing an effective waste-reduction policy, promoting recycling and other forms of circular economy, and raising the awareness of responsible consumption;deleted Amendment 96 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point u a (new) (ua) in the light of the disastrous environmental situation, to work together with the authorities of the Hong Kong SAR to develop cooperation in the area of innovative environmental technologies, in particular with a view to combating atmospheric pollution and improving the energy performance of buildings; Amendment 97 # Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point v (v) to stress that the Hong Kong Government should be much more ambitious in its renewable energy target of 3-4 % by 2030, and should consider the strong impetus provided by favourable feed-in tariff policies in achieving a significant increase in photovoltaic electricity generation, and that it should also consider promoting sustainable buildings and green transport;deleted Amendment 98 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point v a (new) (va) to submit to the European Parliament in the near future proposals for the development of cooperation with the Hong Kong authorities in the area of tax transparency, including AEOI, the combating of money laundering and terrorist funding and the implementation of the measures called for by the OECD in its BEPS package; Amendment 99 # Helmut SCHOLZ Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 – point w (w) to underline to the Chinese authorities that full respect for Hong Kong’s autonomy could provide the model for a process of deep democratic political reforms in China and for the gradual liberalisation and opening up of Chinese society;deleted source: 612.246

Amendments

Dossier

101

2017/2204(INI)

2017/10/25 AFET 101 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Alyn SMITH

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative, "Elements for a new EU strategy on China", JOIN(2016) 30 final, of 22 June 2016, the Communication of the Commission "Trade for All", COM (2015)0497 final, of 15 October 2015, and the Council conclusions "EU Strategy on China" of 18 July 2016,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the 10th annual Structured Dialogue meeting between the European Union and the Government of the Hong Kong SAR took place in Brussels on 17 November 2016;

Amendment 100 #

Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w

(w) to underline ~~to the Chinese authorities~~ that full respect for Hong Kong’s autonomy ~~could provide the model for a process of deep democratic political reforms in China and for the gradual liberalisation and opening up of Chinese society~~and democratic aspirations could inspire further political and social reforms in China;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point w a (new)

(wa) to underline the European Union’s commitment to strengthening democracy, including the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, fundamental freedoms and rights, transparency, and freedom of information and expression in Hong Kong;

Amendment 11 #

Alyn SMITH

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the European Union and Hong Kong carryout annual high-level dialogue called the Structured Dialogue, which was initiated in 2005;

Amendment 12 #

Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas in 2016 the EU was Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after mainland China, and Hong Kong was the EU’s 14th largest trading partner in goods and a key partner for trade in services;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas bilateral relations between the EU and Hong Kong were further strengthened in 2016; whereas the EU was Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after China;

Amendment 14 #

Jo LEINEN, Tonino PICULA

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas Hong Kong’s defence and ~~external political~~foreign affairs are within the remit of the Government of the People’s Republic of China;

Amendment 15 #

activities	date: 2017-10-05T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: ŠUICA Dubravka group: S&D name: PICULA Tonino group: ECR name: BELDER Bas group: ALDE name: PAET Urmas group: GUE/NGL name: SCHOLZ Helmut group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SMITH Alyn date: 2017-11-21T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: ŠUICA Dubravka group: S&D name: PICULA Tonino group: ECR name: BELDER Bas group: ALDE name: PAET Urmas group: GUE/NGL name: SCHOLZ Helmut group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SMITH Alyn date: 2017-11-28T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0382&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A8-0382/2017 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading date: 2017-12-12T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171212&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament date: 2017-12-13T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30489&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0495 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0495/2017 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees/0	type Responsible Committee body EP associated False committee_full Foreign Affairs committee AFET date 2017-07-11T00:00:00 rapporteur name: SMITH Alyn group: Greens/European Free Alliance abbr: Verts/ALE shadows name: ŠUICA Professor Dubravka group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE name: PICULA Tonino group: Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats abbr: S&D name: BELDER Bas group: European Conservatives and Reformists abbr: ECR name: PAET Urmas group: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe abbr: ALDE name: SCHOLZ Helmut group: European United Left - Nordic Green Left abbr: GUE/NGL name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo group: Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy abbr: EFDD
committees/0	body EP shadows group: EPP name: ŠUICA Dubravka group: S&D name: PICULA Tonino group: ECR name: BELDER Bas group: ALDE name: PAET Urmas group: GUE/NGL name: SCHOLZ Helmut group: EFD name: CASTALDO Fabio Massimo responsible True committee AFET date 2017-07-11T00:00:00 committee_full Foreign Affairs rapporteur group: Verts/ALE name: SMITH Alyn
docs	date: 2017-09-27T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE610.883 title: PE610.883 type: Committee draft report body: EP date: 2017-10-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE612.246 title: PE612.246 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
events	date: 2017-10-05T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP date: 2017-11-21T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP date: 2017-11-28T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0382&language=EN title: A8-0382/2017 summary: The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK) on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. The recommendations on Hong Kong mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover from the United Kingdom to China on 1 July 1997. Members recalled that the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) stipulates that Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and independence of the executive, legislature and judiciary for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty. It made the following points in its recommendations to the Council, the Commission and the Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: One China, but two systems : the committee confirmed that the EU and the European Parliament remain strong supporters of the ‘ one country, two systems’ principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China. This principle is of key importance for the further strengthening of present and future relations with the EU, and it should be underlined to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and China that intervening in Hong Kong's internal affairs has the potential to undermine that principle and should therefore be avoided. Members condemned the constant interference of the PRC in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, which may put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model. Bilateral dialogue : Members recommended that the EU reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a wide range of topics and policy areas, such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, trade, investment, financial services, customs, the environment, climate change, research and education, to support the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Reform and elections : the report supported the start of a political reform process that grants the people of the SAR the right to elect and to be elected in the selection process for top leadership positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion. The Governments of Hong Kong and China must maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the reform of universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, in order to have an election system that is democratic, fair, open and transparent. Press freedom and harassment of opposition political parties : Members expressed concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups. They condemned threats to the personal safety of pro-democracy politicians, including abductions and physical violence, as reported by some lawmakers. They also expressed concern at the steady deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong , with growing pressure on the media, both print and electronic, increasing self-censorship with regard to covering sensitive issues on mainland China or concerning the Hong Kong Government, and the tightening of control over the sale of sensitive political books by monopolising ownership of almost all storefront bookshops. EU support : Members recommended that the EU find ways to support the independence of the judiciary which is under some pressure as well as support Hong Kong’s civil society , in particular organisations that uphold universal values, promote human rights and support the independence of the judiciary and press freedom. North Korea : lastly, Members noted with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions in which the largest share of North Korean-controlled front companies have been operating. Joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the most recent UN Security Council resolution (2388) and Members urged the Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea. date: 2017-12-12T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20171212&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament date: 2017-12-13T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=30489&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament date: 2017-12-13T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0495 title: T8-0495/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 443 votes to 95, with 84 abstentions, a resolution on a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. The recommendations on Hong Kong mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong handover from the United Kingdom to China on 1 July 1997. Members recalled that the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration guaranteed, and the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) stipulates that Hong Kong will maintain the autonomy and independence of the executive, legislature and judiciary for 50 years after the handover of sovereignty. The EU is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner after mainland China. Hong Kong is the EU’s 14th largest trading partner in goods and a key partner for trade in services. Parliament recommended to the Council, the Commission and the Vice President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to address the following issues: One China, but two systems : the EU and the European Parliament remain strong supporters of the ‘ one country, two systems ’ principle and Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under China as laid down in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. This principle is of key importance for the further strengthening of present and future relations with the EU. Members condemned the constant interference of the PRC in Hong Kong’s internal affairs, which may put at risk the long-term viability of the ‘one country, two systems’ model. Bilateral dialogue : Parliament recommended that the EU reinforce bilateral dialogue with the Government of the Hong Kong SAR on a wide range of topics and policy areas , such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, trade, investment, financial services, customs, the environment, climate change, research and education, to support the implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. Reform and elections : Parliament supported the start of a political reform process that grants the people of the SAR the right to elect and to be elected in the selection process for top leadership positions, and which reflects the majority view within Hong Kong public opinion. The Governments of Hong Kong and China must maintain their commitment and to build up momentum once again for the reform of universal suffrage in the future election of the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, in order to have an election system that is democratic, fair, open and transparent. Democracy, multi-party politics and freedom of the press : Members expressed concern at the increasing harassment of opposition political parties and the refusal of the Companies Registry to register a number of pro-democracy groups. They condemned threats to the personal safety of pro-democracy politicians, including abductions and physical violence, as reported by some lawmakers. They also expressed concern at the steady deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, with growing pressure on the media, both print and electronic, increasing self-censorship with regard to covering sensitive issues on mainland China or concerning the Hong Kong Government, and the tightening of control over the sale of sensitive political books by monopolising ownership of almost all storefront bookshops. EU support : Members recommended that the EU find ways to support the independence of the judiciary which is under some pressure as well as support Hong Kong’s civil society, in particular organisations that uphold universal values, promote human rights and support the independence of the judiciary and press freedom. Tax co-operation : Parliament has asked for proposals on how to develop cooperation with the Hong Kong authorities in the area of tax transparency , including Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), the combating of money laundering and terrorist funding. North Korea : lastly, Members noted with concern that the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea has established in its reports that Hong Kong is one of two business jurisdictions in which the lar gest share of North Korean-controlled front companies have been operating. The recalled that joint international ventures with North Korea are in violation of the most recent UN Security Council resolution (2388) and Members urged the Hong Kong authorities to address the concerns of the UN Panel of Experts on North Korea. date: 2017-12-13T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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procedure/subject	Old 6.40.08 Relations with Asian countries New 6.40.08 Relations with Asian countries

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procedure/stage_reached	Old Awaiting committee decision New Procedure completed

activities/0/committees/0/shadows/3	group ALDE name PAET Urmas
activities/0/committees/0/shadows/5	group EFD name CASTALDO Fabio Massimo
activities/1/date	Old 2017-12-12T00:00:00 New 2017-12-13T00:00:00
activities/1/type	Old Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading New Vote in plenary scheduled
committees/0/shadows/3	group ALDE name PAET Urmas
committees/0/shadows/5	group EFD name CASTALDO Fabio Massimo

activities	date: 2017-10-05T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: ŠUICA Dubravka group: S&D name: PICULA Tonino group: ECR name: BELDER Bas group: GUE/NGL name: SCHOLZ Helmut responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SMITH Alyn date: 2017-12-12T00:00:00 body: EP type: Indicative plenary sitting date, 1st reading/single reading
committees	body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: ŠUICA Dubravka group: S&D name: PICULA Tonino group: ECR name: BELDER Bas group: GUE/NGL name: SCHOLZ Helmut responsible: True committee: AFET date: 2017-07-11T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SMITH Alyn
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other
procedure	dossier_of_the_committee AFET/8/11119 geographical_area Hong Kong reference 2017/2204(INI) title Hong Kong, 20 years after handover. Recommendation to the Council, the Commission, and the EEAS legal_basis Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 011 stage_reached Awaiting committee decision type INI - Own-initiative procedure subject 6.40.08 Relations with Asian countries

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