Five Eyes Unite on China Response... UK Signals Suspension of Extradition Treaty with Hong Kong

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The 'Five Eyes' network of intelligence agencies from five English-speaking countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) is uniting in response to China's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law). Following Canada and Australia, the United Kingdom has indicated the possibility of suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and expressed its intention to jointly respond to human rights issues in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Dominic Raab, the UK Foreign Secretary, said in an interview with Sky News on the 19th (local time), "We have said we will review everything. One of those is the extradition treaty," adding, "I plan to appear before the House of Commons on the 20th to provide an 'update'." Bloomberg reported, "After the implementation of the Hong Kong Security Law, the UK is expected to join the international alliance suspending the extradition treaty with Hong Kong." If the UK actually terminates the extradition treaty with Hong Kong, it will be the third among the Five Eyes. Canada and Australia have already suspended their extradition treaties, while the United States and New Zealand are reviewing suspension.

After China's implementation of the Hong Kong Security Law, internal contacts within the Five Eyes have become more frequent. When the UK decided, like the United States and other allies, to completely exclude Huawei's 5G equipment, Secretary Raab discussed the technical issues of China's Huawei 5G network in a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the 16th.

He plans to meet directly in London on the 21st to discuss follow-up measures in response to China. Secretary Raab emphasized, "Even after the COVID-19 pandemic ends, we will not be able to do business with Hong Kong as usual," and added, "Cooperation with international partners is necessary to review what is happening." He also stressed, "We will not fall into any unilateral approach toward China." When asked whether the UK and China are still in a 'golden era' of diplomatic relations, he avoided answering, saying, "That is not a phrase I would use."

These countries also plan to cooperate on human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. In an interview with BBC on the same day, Secretary Raab strongly condemned China for severe human rights abuses against Muslims in Xinjiang. He stated, "The UK hopes for a positive relationship with China but cannot remain silent when witnessing such actions," and added, "We will take appropriate measures together with our allies." This has been interpreted as a reference to possible sanctions.

China has expressed displeasure at the unity of the Five Eyes. Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, claimed, "The Uygurs are treated equally with other ethnic minorities in China," and argued, "Many false allegations have been made against China. There are no concentration camps in Xinjiang." Ambassador Liu added, "The UK should conduct its foreign policy independently rather than just echoing the United States," and warned, "If the UK imposes sanctions on any individual in China, we will respond firmly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.