UK Stresses ‘Obligation to Engage’ Before 1st Ministerial Visit to Hong Kong Since Civil Rights Suppression

A poster advising on Hong Kong's national security law in a file photo. Adrian Yu/The Epoch Times

Britain has “an obligation to engage” with Hong Kong, a minister has said as he embarks on the first UK ministerial visit to the former colony since Beijing’s suppression of its civil rights.

Investment minister Lord Dominic Johnson will discuss boosting trade in fintech and financial services with Hong Kong government representatives.

He will be the first minister to visit the region since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a suppression on pro-democracy protesters in 2019.

Riot police detain a man as they clear protesters taking part in a rally against a new national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020, the 23rd anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. Dale De La Rey/AFP via Getty Images

The UK government has condemned Beijing’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, and has subsequently created a special visa scheme allowing Hongkongers to emigrate to Britain.

The UK says the Chinese regime remains in breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, under which it has a duty to uphold Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms.

But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government has recently made clear that it wants to maintain engagement with the Chinese regime despite political differences.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak giving a speech on education at London Screen Academy, in London, on April 17, 2023. Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Media

‘Historic Responsibilities’

Ahead of his trip, Johnson said: “Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading international finance centres, and my visit will promote cooperation on sectors where we both excel—from financial services and infrastructure to clean growth and sustainability.

“The UK’s ties with Hong Kong run deep, not only in our shared history and connection between our people, but in business and our desire to succeed. For future generations we have an obligation to engage—robustly and also constructively—and our engagement with Hong Kong is an important part of that.

“I am clear that we will not look the other way on Hong Kong or duck our historic responsibilities to its people, and that we will continue to stand up for them, call out the violation of their freedoms and hold China to their international obligations.”

Coronation Invite

It comes after the highly controversial attendance of China’s Vice President Han Zheng at the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.

Han was responsible for the regime’s policy for Hong Kong between 2018 and March this year, during which the regime suppressed pro-democracy protesters and imposed the national security law.

Han Zheng takes an oath after being named China's vice president during the third plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, on March 10, 2023. Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images

Following reports late last month that Han would get an invite to the coronation, former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “This is the man responsible for trashing the international treaty—the Sino-British accord—in the course of which the Hong Kong authorities have persecuted peaceful democracy campaigners.

“Having this man here given his role is outrageous.”

Tim Loughton, another Conservative MP, said Han’s presence would be “an insult to the freedom-loving people” of Hong Kong.

Lord Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, said Beijing’s decision to send Han to the coronation was a sign that the regime treats the UK with contempt.

“I think it’s an indication of the fact that, however much you grovel to China, however much you try to give them face, they don’t give a toss about giving us face,” he told the BBC.

‘Deep Disagreement’

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he broached areas of “deep disagreement” during a meeting with Han on Friday.

Cleverly wrote on Twitter: “Engagement with China means discussing areas of deep disagreement and vital co-operation.

“Today with VP Han Zheng, I made plain the UK’s views on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan.

“We also discussed working together on climate change, economic ties and people-to-people links.”

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly leaves 10 Downing Street in London on March 7, 2023. Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

In response to criticisms of the decision to invite Han, Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s “Today” programme on May 2: “With the relationship with China, it is incredibly important that we continue to have conversations. To basically gag ourselves, to limit our own ability to exert influence, would be counterproductive.”

Downing Street acknowledged there were “strong feelings” from MPs about the Beijing government but Sunak’s official spokesman told reporters in Westminster: “As the foreign secretary has said, we need to be clear-eyed about how we approach China.

“It would be wrong to exclude them completely given their significance to the global economy and on things like tackling climate change.”

PA Media contributed to this report.