Mr. Chairperson, honourable members of the standing committee, thank you very much for giving us this chance to testify on the critical situation in Hong Kong, and also on the importance of protecting democracy, autonomy, and also the rules of law in Hong Kong, which has some very deep and close connections with Canada.
Supporting the people of Hong Kong in defence of their human rights and also democratic rights is vital in building strong and respectful foreign policy in Canada. Canada has a stake in the current crisis in Hong Kong for four reasons.
Number one, as one of the countries endorsing the joint declaration signed in 1984, Canada has the moral duty to urge China to respect and honour what they have promised to the Hong Kong people in respect of “one country, two systems”; that is, Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.
Number two, democracy, freedom, and rule of law are the backdrop principles of all our foreign policy. We are morally obligated to defend these basic civil rights of the Hong Kong people.
Number three, it serves our national best interests to defend the rights of our Canadian citizens living in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is Asia's most Canadian city, with 300,000 Canadians and with over 200 Canadian companies based there. Hong Kong is Asia's third-largest financial market. Without the rules of law, freedom, and civil liberties, there won't be any guarantee of a level playing field for Canadian-owned businesses or personal security for Canadians in Hong Kong.
Number four, there are very strong people-to-people ties between Hong Kong and Canada. Last year, numerous community organizations, student groups, and national organizations rallied to show their support to Hong Kong. The all-party motion of the House of Commons calling on China to respect international agreements was not only well received by Hong Kong people, but it will also have a positive impact on China in the long run. However, we all need to do more at this critical time for the people of Hong Kong threatened by the ongoing erosion of their basic human rights.
We therefore respectfully recommend, first, that the standing committee undertake a full study of the critical situation in Hong Kong and submit its report to Parliament to serve as reference in the formulation of government policies on this issue; and second, that the Government of Canada issue an official statement urging China to honour and respect commitments to the joint declaration, and the promise of universal suffrage to the Hong Kong people before the chief executive's election format is decided by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong in mid-2015.
Thank you very much.