The Earl of Courtown (Con)

My Lords, His Majesty’s Opposition echo calls for the immediate release of Jimmy Lai. Persecuted under the national security law, which is a breach of the 1984 Sino-British joint declaration, Lai’s verdict was made by politically appointed judges, and the trial was conducted without a jury. Jimmy Lai’s courage and resilience is an inspiration. Born during the Chinese civil war, his mother was sent to a labour camp. At the age of 12, he arrived in Hong Kong and worked his way up to become one of Hong Kong’s success stories. As a British citizen, he could have come to the UK when the national security law came into force, but he chose to stay in Hong Kong out of solidarity with its people and commitment to his work. At the age of 78, he has spent the past five years in prison, mostly in solitary confinement. As has been highlighted, requests for consular access have been repeatedly refused, as well as for Lai to have full access to independent medical professionals amid concerns for his health. Moreover, he has been refused access to the sacraments of the Catholic faith. The Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of him, and of Hong Kong, are further evidence that the Chinese Government cannot be trusted. Nor are these matters simply internal affairs for China. Lai is a British citizen. The national security law goes against the Sino-British joint declaration, which China signed, and which obliges the UK to guarantee rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. On the international world stage, the Chinese Government have proven themselves not to keep their word. We know that the Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted, and yet plans are progressing for a new super-embassy—the largest embassy in Europe and its largest diplomatic outpost globally. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy has called for the planning application to be approved, “to avoid further undermining the mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides”. This is outrageous, when it is China that has breached the joint declaration, and that, even on British soil, continues to intimidate Hong Kongers. If the planning application for the new super-embassy is approved, at the heart of our capital city, what signal would that give? Can the Minister explain why the Government will not, at the very least, include China in the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme? Numerous civil society organisations, including Hong Kong Watch, have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister, asking him to do more in the case of Jimmy Lai and noting that Australia, Canada and Ireland have been able to secure the release of their citizens imprisoned in China. Yesterday, the President of the United States called directly on Xi Jinping to consider his release. Can the Minister clarify whether our own Prime Minister will follow suit and demand his release publicly? In addition, if the Prime Minister refuses to cancel his visit to China in January, will he raise the matter and call for Jimmy Lai’s release in-person with President Xi? We all recognise the complexities and competing considerations involved in the UK’s relationship with China, but we cannot let these drown out or dilute the Government’s duty to its citizens or to national security. I urge the Government to do more, inspired by Jimmy Lai’s own courage, to stand up to the CCP’s narrative and for our own principles and citizens.