EU social media campaign featuring Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing lawmaker Regina Ip ‘failed to illustrate our values’, bloc’s top diplomat says
- March 8 post by Ip deleted after complaints by European Parliament members, with Josep Borrell saying body is working to protect ‘fundamental freedoms’ in city
- Hong Kong lawmaker and executive councillor slams move as betrayal of diversity, pluralism and freedom of expression
Borrell was responding to a letter of complaint by members of the European Parliament about Ip’s inclusion in the campaign, which also featured members of the city’s pan-democratic camp.
“Gender equality is a no-brainer. Men and women play different roles in reproduction, but in modern society there is growing overlap in their functions, contributions and achievements. All should be recognised for what they achieved, not on their gender,” the post read.
But the EU’s Hong Kong and Macau Office “immediately” removed the post on the grounds that it “sent a wrong and unfortunate signal at a time when the EU is working hard to protect fundamental freedoms, democratic principles and support pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong”, Borrell said.
In a statement sent to the Post, Ip said the EU had removed her contribution without consulting her “apparently because of complaints from those who disapproved of my political views”. She added: “I have always spoken up for anti-discrimination and I am a living example of a woman willing to speak up and fight for her political views, despite many unfair attacks and demonisation.
“I think the way the EU’s office handled the complaint betrayed their avowed espousal of diversity, pluralism and respect for the freedom of expression.”
