The first British ruler to visit Hong Kong in five years said on Wednesday that his country will not “shirk” its historic responsibilities towards people living in the former UK colony.
The remarks by Minister of State for the Department of Business and Commerce Dominic Johnson were published Wednesday in an opinion piece in the South China Morning Post.
The minister added that the UK will be clear about its right to act when China breaks international commitments or abuses human rights.
Johnson’s visit this week comes against the backdrop of years of tension between Britain and Hong Kong, following the enactment of a national security law imposed by Beijing on the territory that Britain described as “a clear violation” of the Sino-British declaration of 1984.
The declaration included a promise to uphold Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms for 50 years after the territory was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
After the introduction of the security law in 2020, the UK allowed Hong Kong people to live and work in the UK, as well as apply for British citizenship after six years through a special visa.
The British minister explained that his visit, which ends on Wednesday, included meetings with the city’s main investors and government officials to promote investment ties.
On Monday he met with the chairman of multinational CK Hutchison, Victor Li, to discuss investment plans in the UK, and with Hong Kong’s Treasury and Financial Services Secretary, Christopher Hui.
“I’m in Hong Kong as part of my mission to promote the UK as a premier destination for investment and trade,” Johnson said on Twitter.
The British consulate in Hong Kong affirmed that the visit will allow the minister to resume dialogue, which includes issues such as trade and investment, clean growth and future bilateral visits, according to the AP agency.
When asked about the British minister’s visit, Hong Kong leader John Lee said he welcomes any foreign officials visiting the territory and encourages the promotion of economic development, trade and people-to-people relations.
“It’s just that some countries take some actions to fulfill their political interests, maybe for political reasons,” he said, without identifying any countries.
Source: TSF
