<p>Britain on Thursday accused China of breaking its international treaty obligations, after four pro-democracy lawmakers were ousted from Hong Kong's legislature on security grounds.</p>.<p>Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new rules to disqualify elected assembly members was "a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration".</p>.<p>"China has once again broken its promises and undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>Britain is the former colonial power in Hong Kong and has increasingly locked horns with China since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law last year.</p>.<p>Fifteen legislators quit in protest at the ouster of their colleagues, confirming fears among critics that democracy is being eradicated in Hong Kong.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, Raab said China was seeking to "harass, stifle and disqualify democratic opposition", denting its international reputation.</p>.<p>London has angered Beijing by offering Hong Kongers holding British National Overseas passports a route to UK citizenship by relaxing entry and residency requirements.</p>.<p>It has also suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, one of a number of countries to do so.</p>.<p>Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Nigel Adams told parliament China had breached its treaty obligations three times since 1997, and twice in six months.</p>.<p>The treaty was signed before Britain handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997 and was designed to allay fears about its future under Beijing's rule.</p>.<p>It guarantees the financial hub special status including a high degree of autonomy to manage its own affairs and the right to freedom of speech.</p>.<p>Adams told lawmakers the latest move was part of a "pattern of measures to pressure and stifle all voices critical of China's policies".</p>
<p>Britain on Thursday accused China of breaking its international treaty obligations, after four pro-democracy lawmakers were ousted from Hong Kong's legislature on security grounds.</p>.<p>Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new rules to disqualify elected assembly members was "a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration".</p>.<p>"China has once again broken its promises and undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>Britain is the former colonial power in Hong Kong and has increasingly locked horns with China since Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law last year.</p>.<p>Fifteen legislators quit in protest at the ouster of their colleagues, confirming fears among critics that democracy is being eradicated in Hong Kong.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, Raab said China was seeking to "harass, stifle and disqualify democratic opposition", denting its international reputation.</p>.<p>London has angered Beijing by offering Hong Kongers holding British National Overseas passports a route to UK citizenship by relaxing entry and residency requirements.</p>.<p>It has also suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, one of a number of countries to do so.</p>.<p>Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Nigel Adams told parliament China had breached its treaty obligations three times since 1997, and twice in six months.</p>.<p>The treaty was signed before Britain handed back Hong Kong to China in 1997 and was designed to allay fears about its future under Beijing's rule.</p>.<p>It guarantees the financial hub special status including a high degree of autonomy to manage its own affairs and the right to freedom of speech.</p>.<p>Adams told lawmakers the latest move was part of a "pattern of measures to pressure and stifle all voices critical of China's policies".</p>