Miriam Lexmann, author. – Madam President, dear colleagues, I want to thank all of you across the parties to support the people of Hong Kong and all those oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party.

I am sorry that once again, this evening, we must discuss the worsening oppression in the city. Jimmy Lai, and the 45 pro-democracy activists, do not belong in jail. They represent the best of Hong Kong: its spirit and its love of freedom and democracy.

Therefore, I want to call on the new European Commission – especially the new High Representative – to stand strong with the people of Hong Kong and to hold responsible those destroying the city's freedom and autonomy.

The evasion of EU sanctions through Hong Kong shows us why the city and its people must matter to us. It is both a moral obligation and a security necessity to stand with Hong Kong.