'World Must Speak Out Over Brutal Destruction Of HK'

Chris Patten has urged the world not to turn a blind eye to the "brutal destruction" of Hong Kong, calling on the EU to abandon an investment agreement with China in light of Wednesday's mass arrest of 53 pro-democracy figures in the SAR.

In a statement released by the organisation Hong Kong Watch, of which Patten is a patron, the last British governor of Hong Kong accused the Chinese authorities of taking advantage of current "political and pandemic" distractions around the world.

He called on liberal democracies across the globe to "continue to speak out against this brutal destruction of a free society".

"Our thoughts, words and international actions should take account of the destruction of a free city in Asia with economic and human consequences. When terrible things are happening, we cannot simply look the other way," he said.

Patten also suggested that the European Union should rethink an investment pact with the mainland which was approved by EU ambassadors last month but is yet to be ratified by national governments or the European Parliament.

He said it was "inconceivable" that European politicians could still support the draft deal, adding that doing so would be "a massive strategic blunder" given that US president-elect Joe Biden is seeking international support to combat the "loutish behaviour" of the Chinese Communist Party.

Hong Kong Watch's chief executive, Benedict Rogers, also condemned Wednesday's arrests, saying they marked "a watershed moment when it comes to the use of the national security law".

"Statements of condemnation from the UK Government and likeminded democracies will no longer cut it," Rogers said, adding that governments should call for coordinated action, including Magnitsky sanctions, international lifeboat schemes, and an end to business ties with the mainland.