Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine, has today called on the Foreign Secretary to ask China to maintain a calm response in relation to continuing tensions in Hong Kong.
Next week will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, and it has been reported that celebrations will be accompanied by large scale pro-democracy protests.
Aerial photos have shown what appear to be armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles belonging to China’s paramilitary People’s Armed Police parked in rows near the border with the former British territory.
Following her exchange with the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons, Ms Jardine said: “I’ve had many constituents contact me recently to share their concerns about the tensions in Hong Kong.
“Reports that next week’s anniversary could be accompanied by more violence are worrying, and I sincerely hope that China maintains a proportional response and refrains from sending their own armed response in to Hong Kong.
“That’s why today I pressed the Foreign Secretary to stress to his Chinese counterpart the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights throughout what could be a difficult period.
“We have a responsibility to the people of Hong Kong and I hope our Government will take the appropriate steps to respect that.”
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