Sir Richard Ottaway ( pictured ) said a 'troubling pattern ' of reduced freedoms was emerging as Hong Kong 's autonomy comes 'under pressure ' Freedom in Hong Kong is being undermined by the Chinese government , British MPs warned yesterday . Beijing 's involvement in Hong Kong 's elections is 'unduly restrictive ' and freedom of speech , the Press and assembly are being eroded , the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said in a report . Chairman Sir Richard Ottaway added that a 'troubling pattern ' of reduced freedoms was emerging as Hong Kong 's autonomy comes 'under pressure ' . The parliamentary committee urged the UK government to be more outspoken in support of democracy in Hong Kong , warning that failing to do so could damage Britain 's reputation there . The committee also accused the British Government of abandoning its 'moral obligation ' to support democracy in the former UK colony . The report added that Britain 'can and should take a position ' on democratic reforms in Hong Kong , a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997 . Candidates in Hong Kong 's first public vote for a leader in 2017 will be vetted by a Beijing committee , meaning voters will not be offered a 'genuine choice ' , the MPs said . They argued that Britain 's reputation in Hong Kong may be damaged if the Government does not speak up in support of democracy , and urged the UK to take 'an unambiguous position on its expectations for constitutional reform ' . Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong turned out for pro-democracy protests that rocked the city for 11 weeks last year . The student-led protesters occupied key streets in financial districts to demand the removal of restrictions in place for 2017 elections . The report also criticized British officials for not summoning the Chinese ambassador after China banned members of the parliamentary committee from visiting Hong Kong in December . Beijing 's decision to treat the visit as interference in China 's internal affairs 'raises wider concerns about the state of UK-China relations , ' it said . China said the UK had 'no right to interfere ' in the matter . A pro-democracy protester raises his hands during the clearance operation of the 'Occupy Central ' camp in the Mong Kok district in Hong Kong , December 2014 . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Chinese MPs have warned that freedom in Hong Kong is being undermined . Report by Foreign Affairs Committee said Beijing 's involvement in Hong Kong 's elections is 'unduly restrictive ' and freedoms are being eroded . Parliamentary committee urge UK government to be more outspoken in support of democracy in Hong Kong .