Today, the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) has confirmed that East and South East Asians for Labour (ESEA for Labour) motion for conference has been accepted and placed under ‘Foreign Policy Towards China.’

The motion subject area will now be put to Conference delegates in the priorities ballots and if successful will be composited and debated. ESEA for Labour now calls for CLP and Trade Union delegates to put their full support behind the motion in order for it to be debated on the conference floor.

Sonny Leong CBE, Vice Chair for ESEA for Labour says, “We’re pleased to hear our motion has been accepted by the CAC.”

“We are supportive of the strong stance our shadow foreign front bench has taken in response to actions taken by the Chinese government and we believe that our motion backed by delegate and trade union, will help define Labour’s approach to China for years to come.”

“This Is not just how we approach China, but Labour’s approach to foreign policy with all countries – emphasising the right to free speech, religion, and to end exploitation of workers.”

“We call on CLP delegates and trade unions to support our motion.”

Motion in Full:

China, Hong Kong and the Uyghurs: solidarity, peace, democracy, liberation

Labour believes socialism means political and economic democracy. Despite pretences, China’s authoritarian state represents neither.

Uyghurs and other majority-Muslim peoples in Xinjiang/ East Turkestan suffer genocidal persecution including racist surveillance; political, cultural and religious repression; forced contraception and sterilisation; forced labour in global corporate supply chains; children removed from families; and concentration camps.

A violent, corporate-backed crackdown has attacked Hong Kong’s movement for democracy and civil liberties. Independent unions are surging but under assault. British colonial-era anti-union and anti-democratic laws facilitate this.

Throughout China, worker exploitation is rampant. Wealth inequality approaches US levels. Independent unions and protests are suppressed while corporations and state bureaucrats profit. But workers, women, minorities and dissidents continue to resist.

In all levels of government and grassroots campaigning, Labour will:

• Build solidarity with independent labour, democratic and liberatory movements, protests and strikes in China;
• Resist hijacking of this cause by nationalists and hawks promoting anti-Chinese racism, superpower rivalry, trade wars and militarisation;
• Support freedom and human rights for the indigenous peoples of Xinjiang/ East Turkestan and Tibet, and their right to democratically determine their futures;
• Support universal suffrage for Hong Kong, release of political prisoners and repeal of the National Security Law;
• Propose Magnitsky sanctions against officials involved in these abuses;
• Support protests and worker action against businesses complicit in these abuses;
• Propose laws requiring big businesses to transparently audit supply chains to source worldwide, and cut ties to rights abuses;
• Welcome unconditionally all refugees who seek sanctuary here from tyranny and persecution.

Letter from Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Opposition          

"We were delighted that Kira, Ellie and Nathan reached out to us and engaged thoughtfully with our questions. We are confident that if elected they will stand up for young people, and in particular for young East and Southeast Asians. We are keen to work with them going forwards, and are happy for the Chinese for Labour Executive Committee to nominate them.

"Young people in the UK are facing years of precarious work and declining living standards due to the government’s mishandling of Covid 19. The pandemic has also brought a wave of increased racism against young East and Southeast Asians, on top of the hostile environment already experienced by those from immigrant families. It is vital that Chinese for Labour represents these young people.

"We support Kira, Ellie and Nathan's commitment to improving safeguarding structures within Young Labour, to ensure young activists within the party feel safe and welcome. With increased racist attacks against East and Southeast Asians, their efforts will be an important part of ensuring the party and our communities remain a safe space for all people.

"However, while Young Labour's internal culture must become more inclusive, we are aware that many in our communities don't even consider becoming involved in politics to start with. Therefore we hope the candidates will spend time developing ways of encouraging young East and Southeast Asians to consider political involvement, bringing them into the Labour movement.

"Finally, we are pleased that the candidates were aware of the challenges faced by East and Southeast Asians overseas. We want Young Labour to be a strong voice for all those suffering from political oppression and human rights abuses." 

Young Chinese for Labour