The Hong Kong factor in China-UK relations

Abstract

Since the former British colony had been returned to China, the international position of both the United Kingdom and China has drastically changed. Economic and political weight of China on the international stage concerns certain international actors. Beijing prevents all foreign attempts to interfere into its domestic affairs. London, in return, is convinced that Beijing violates the Sino British declaration. The diplomatic spat between the UK and China over protests in Hong Kong escalated in the summer of 2019. The narrative of «moral responsibility» towards the people of Hong Kong became an important part of British strategic communication, nevertheless the UK establishment refrains from taking certain decisions. Pro-democratic activists urge the British government to give «real» citizenship to Hong Kong residents and human rights organizations criticize London for not adapting a tough approach towards China. However, only a few tools to influence the situation in Hong Kong are left at the British government’s disposal. At the same time the UK political establishment is not interested in deterioration of Sino-British dialogue in the long run.

Keywords

• china
• uk foreign policy
• hong kong
• sino-british joint declaration
• british citizenship
• human rights