The European Commission and the High Representative have adopted today the 27th annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on political and economic developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This report covers developments in 2024.
The report demonstrates that Hong Kong authorities continued to focus on national security following the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020. The report also highlights the continuous erosion of Hong Kongs autonomy and of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the people of Hong Kong. On 19 March 2024, Hong Kongs Legislative Council adopted the ‘Safeguarding National Security Ordinance under Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance introduces mainland Chinas sweeping definition of ‘national security to Hong Kong, adds five new categories of offences, and expands the scope of other previously existing offences. As of 31 December 2024, the new law had been applied to arrest at least 15 individuals, all on sedition charges, with thee individuals convicted and sentenced to jail terms.
In 2024, trials brought against pro-democracy activists, advocates and politicians under the National Security Law and other legislation continued.
In another extra-territorial application of the National Security Law, Hong Kong authorities issued arrest warrants and bounties for six Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in exile. Relatives and other acquaintances of the wanted activists were repeatedly interrogated by the police.
Hong Kong authorities continued to block online content considered sensitive. On 8 May, the Court of Appeal granted an application by the government to ban the protest anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong.
With at least 1 640 companies, the EU remained Hong Kongs largest non-Chinese foreign business community. In 2024, the EU was Hong Kongs fourth largest trading partner in goods and third largest in services with total trade amounting to EUR 66.7 billion.
Background
Since Hong Kongs handover to the Peoples Republic of China in 1997, the EU and its Member States have closely followed political and economic developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the ‘one country, two systems principle.
In line with the commitment given to the European Parliament in 1997, the European Commission and the High Representative issue an annual report on political and economic developments in Hong Kong. This is the 27th report, covering developments in 2024.
The measures taken by the EU and Member States in response to the National Security Law in the Council Conclusions adopted in July 2020 remain in force. This package of measures included:
- a review of the asylum, migration, visa and residency policy, and of extradition agreements;
- scrutiny and limitation of exports of sensitive equipment;
- observation of trials; support for civil society;
- the possibility of more scholarships and academic exchanges;
- monitoring of the extraterritorial impact of the law; and
- the refraining from launching new negotiations with Hong Kong