Britain warns China if it breaches agreement to preserve Hong Kong's freedoms

Britain has warned China of serious consequences if it breaches a bilateral agreement to preserve Hong Kong's freedoms, after an unprecedented night of anti-government protests. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in Belfast yesterday that Hong Kong is part of China but the freedoms in Hong Kong are enshrined in a joint declaration signed with former colonial ruler Britain. 

He said the legally binding agreement should be honoured. Mr Hunt was speaking during a campaign event in



Northern Ireland as part of his bid to lead the ruling Conservative Party and become Prime Minister.

Junior foreign minister Alan Duncan said in London that the British government rejected Beijing's assertion that the joint declaration was no longer valid. He told parliament, the government's clear view is that the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 obliges the Chinese government to uphold Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and its rights and freedoms.