The first British minister visiting Hong Kong in five years said that the UK would not “duck” its historic responsibilities to people living in its former colony while engaging with China in areas they share common interests.
The remarks by British Minister of State for the Department for Business and Trade Dominic Johnson were published yesterday in an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post.
He wrote that the UK would be clear about its right to act if China breaks its international commitments or abuses human rights.
Photo: AP
Johnson’s trip this week came after relations between Hong Kong and Britain became increasingly tense following the enactment of a Beijing-imposed National Security Law, which the UK earlier called “a clear breach” of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The declaration included a promise to retain Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms for 50 years after it was returned to China’s rule in 1997.
Johnson said that his trip included meetings with the territory’s leading investors and government officials to foster investment ties between both sides.
He wrote on Twitter on Monday that he had met with CK Hutchison (長和集團) chairman Victor Li (李澤鉅), the elder son of tycoon Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠), to discuss their investment plans in Britain.
In another post, he said he also talked to Hong Kong Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui (許正宇) on their work to remove market barriers and increase trade between both sides.
“I’m in Hong Kong as part of my mission to promote the UK as a leading destination for investment and trade,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
The British consulate in Hong Kong said the visit would allow Johnson to re-engage on dialogue including trade and investment, clean growth and future bilateral visits, in addition to promoting collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK after the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of the security law.
His visit also includes a meeting with Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau (丘應樺), a lunch with some members of the British Chamber of Commerce and a visit to local tech hub Cyber Port, the consulate said.
Johnson concluded his trip last night.
When asked about Johnson’s visit, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) said he welcomed any foreign officials to visit Hong Kong and encourage the promotion of economic development, commercial exchanges and people-to-people relationship.
Lee said that the territory’s success is built on regional and international cooperation.
“It’s just some countries make some moves to meet their political interest, perhaps due to political reasons,” he said, without identifying any countries.
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