Canada condemns removal of pro-democracy Hong Kong legislators

Canada's top diplomat says China is flouting its international obligations with its latest move to quash dissent in Hong Kong.

Earlier this week,China's central government granted Hong Kong's government special authority to remove members of its Legislative Council who are deemed insufficiently loyal to Beijing because of their support for Hong Kong independence or their refusal to recognize China's sovereignty over the region.

Hong Kong's pro-Beijing government, led by Chief Executive Carrie Lam,promptly used the new powers to disqualify four pro-democracy legislators who had previously called for foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China.

In response to the removal of their colleagues, Hong Kong's 15 remaining pro-democracy lawmakers said they would resign in protest, effectively giving pro-Beijing forces free reign in the city's legislature.

Foreign Affairs MinisterFranois-Philippe Champagne said the removal of the four democratically elected legislators further erodes theautonomy promised to the former British colony when it was handed back to Beijing in 1997.

"This decision further narrows Hong Kong's autonomy and the space for freedom of expression and public participation in governance in Hong Kong," Champagne said in a written statement on Wednesday.

"This action clearly demonstrates a concerning disregard for Hong Kong's Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under the 'one country, two systems' framework."

Under the Sino-British declaration signed in 1984 China promised to allow Hong Kong a high degree of autonomyfor 50 years in exchange for reassuming control of the territory in 1997. ButBeijing has in recent months moved to clamp down on opposition voices in Hong Kong with the imposition of a national security law, after months of anti-government protests last year rocked the city.

'Further assault' on freedoms

Champagne called China's move a "further assault" on Hong Kong's freedoms.

"We are deeply disappointed that China has chosen to break its international obligations," said Champagne.

"Canada will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong."

The issue of Hong Kong's autonomy has proven to be a thorn in an already chilled relationship between Canada and China. Relations between the two countrieshave worsened since Canada arrested Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhouin December 2017 on a U.S. extradition warrant.China arrested twoCanadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, shortly after Meng's arrest.

The two Michaels have now spent over 700 days in prison while Meng fights her extradition in a B.C. court and lives under house arrest in Vancouver.

Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in July in response to the passage of the new national security law which gaveBeijing sweeping powers to crack down on dissent amidanti-government protests and other activities it considers the work of hostile foreign powers.

The Canadian government also amended its export controls totreatsensitive goods, including military equipment,being exported to Hong Kong as if they were being sent to mainland China. Previously, Hong Kong was given preferential status.

Canada has also quietly started approving asylum claims for families seeking to flee persecution in Hong Kong, something theChinese ambassador to Canada warned against last month.