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Foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State joint statement:

We the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, reiterate our serious concern regarding China鈥檚 imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong. Following the imposition of the National Security Law and postponement of September鈥檚 Legislative Council elections, this decision further undermines Hong Kong鈥檚 high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

China鈥檚 action is a clear breach of its international obligations under the legally binding, UN-registered Sino-British Joint Declaration. It breaches both China鈥檚 commitment that Hong Kong will enjoy a 鈥榟igh degree of autonomy鈥�, and the right to freedom of speech.

The disqualification rules appear part of a concerted campaign to silence all critical voices following the postponement of September鈥檚 Legislative Council elections, the imposition of charges against a number of elected legislators, and actions to undermine the freedom of Hong Kong鈥檚 vibrant media.

We call on China to stop undermining the rights of the people of Hong Kong to elect their representatives in keeping with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law. For the sake of Hong Kong鈥檚 stability and prosperity, it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions.

As a leading member of the international community, we expect China to live up to its international commitments and its duty to the people of Hong Kong. We urge the Chinese central authorities to re-consider their actions against Hong Kong鈥檚 elected legislature and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members.