Britain must act against China's intention to destroy Hong Kong's autonomy: UK MP Stewart McDonald

In his opinion piece published in Hong Kong Free Press, he said: "It is time for the UK government to act. China has continuously demonstrated its intention to destroy Hong Kong’s autonomy and disregard both international law and its obligations under the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration that guarantees its freedoms."

"We cannot let this pass us idly by. We must share the courage of the protesters by standing up to China’s disregard for liberty and freedom," he said.

"To name but a few, China has recently decided to impose a national security law on Hong Kong, bypassing its legislature, which will criminalise any act of secession, subversion, terrorism and its broad scope could see people punished for criticising Beijing – as they are in mainland China," he said.

He further said: "Beijing’s heavy hand will continue to create a climate of fear and a visceral sense of hopelessness unless we stand up. Hong Kong, the only enclave of freedom in China, is being eclipsed by tear gas, rubber bullets, live rounds, police brutality and torture; but still Hongkongers march on."

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed over to China in 1997, and the Basic Law preserves its autonomy as a Special Administrative Region under the principle of “one country, two systems”.

The new security law will also be overriding any local laws that come in conflict with it, reports said.

The planned law has sparked protests against the Chinese government and also drawn international condemnation.