The Chinese Government’s decision to expel four elected members of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council represents a further weakening of Hong Kong’s democratic freedoms.

This undermining of Hong Kong’s principal forum for political participation follows an alarming pattern of suppressing opposition voices.

Labor is deeply concerned by the continuing erosion of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy as guaranteed in the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration, to which China is committed.

The preservation of the One Country, Two Systems arrangement is vital for Hong Kong’s stability.

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.