A public petition to Xi Jinping and the Government of the People’s Republic of China
In 1984, the PRC government made a solemn international commitment concerning Hong Kong. Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Hong Kong was promised a high degree of autonomy and continuation of its rights, freedoms, legal system and way of life after the 1997 handover. Hong Kong’s Basic Law also protects freedoms of speech, press, publication, association, assembly, procession and demonstration.
President Xi: Keep China’s Promise
A state’s promise does not disappear when keeping it becomes inconvenient. The credibility of the PRC is measured in part by whether commitments made to Hong Kong and the international community can be trusted.
We call on Xi Jinping and the PRC government to:
- Honor the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law and restore the high degree of autonomy promised to Hong Kong.
- Restore fundamental freedoms, including expression, press, peaceful assembly, association, religion and political participation.
- Release Jimmy Lai and all people imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising internationally recognized rights.
- End politically motivated prosecutions and transnational intimidation targeting Hong Kong activists, journalists, lawyers, elected representatives and civil-society leaders.
- Protect judicial independence and due process.
- Permit genuine civil society, independent journalism, peaceful political opposition and meaningful public participation.
The Cost of Breaking a National Promise
Continued dismantling of Hong Kong’s promised freedoms carries foreseeable lawful consequences: diminished international trust, greater diplomatic isolation, increased scrutiny of officials responsible for serious rights abuses, stronger calls for targeted sanctions and accountability measures, reduced confidence among international businesses and investors, and lasting damage to the PRC’s credibility in future agreements.
A powerful country should not fear free speech. A credible country keeps its word.
Founding Signatories
Founding Signatories are people who joined this appeal at its launch and expressly consented to public recognition of their support.
Shengde Lian (连胜德)
Free China Movement
United States
Sign the Petition
By signing, I call on Xi Jinping and the Government of the PRC to honor China’s commitments to Hong Kong, restore the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, release people imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising those rights, and end the continuing erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy and civil liberties.
After signing: share this petition and ask elected representatives and democratic governments to hold the PRC to the commitments it made to Hong Kong.
Sources: Hong Kong Basic Law, Chapter III · UK Government: Sino-British Joint Declaration · Reuters, Sept. 10, 2026
All language versions share one signatory registry to avoid duplicate public records.