UK Foreign Secretary urges China to "discuss Hong Kong issue"

Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The UK Foreign Secretary has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with China regarding the Hong Kong issue.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 22nd, Dominic Raab, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated during a virtual meeting with the lobbying group 'Conservative Friends of the Chinese' on the 19th, "I proposed to Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, to hold talks in Beijing."

Minister Raab said, "We will always keep the door to diplomacy open and look for positive aspects."

The bilateral relationship rapidly deteriorated following the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law last year and the UK's expansion of immigration channels last month for Hong Kong residents holding British National (Overseas) passports. Recently, the UK revoked the license of China's CGTN broadcaster, and China retaliated by banning the UK’s BBC World News from airing domestically. Consequently, BBC broadcasts were also suspended in Hong Kong.

Minister Raab reiterated the UK's position that "China considers the Hong Kong National Security Law as an 'internal affair,' but the UK views it as a violation of the 'Sino-British Joint Declaration'." He also expressed concern regarding reports of human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

However, he added, "I do not want to fight with the Chinese government." The SCMP explained that "although relations between the UK and China have worsened, the UK wishes to continue trade with China, which is one of the largest investors in many British companies operating in Hong Kong."

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