HK visit: A political kabuki

THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE UK PARLIAMENT Foreign Affairs Committee's (FAC) ongoing review on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is dubious at best. This is especially true when considering its timing - at a time when Hong Kong society is torn apart by the illegal "Occupy Central" campaign being staged by political dissidents.

The review - including a planned visit to Hong Kong by committee members - is obviously superfluous. They have had all the answers they need, literally at hand.

Ever since the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, British foreign secretary has reported to the Parliament every six month on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. This is considered by the British government as a move, as a co-signatory, to honor its commitment to the "faithful implementation" of the 1984 document.