Britain today warned China that it would damage its own interests if it destroys the “very precious” trusted courts in Hong Kong.
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the protection of basic freedoms was a foundation of the former colony’s prosperity. “The heart of people’s concerns has been that very precious thing that Hong Kong has had, which is an independent judicial system,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“The United Kingdom views this situation very, very seriously.”
China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, has lambasted Britain and accused the Government of disrespect and a “colonial mindset” towards Hong Kong, where huge crowds have been protesting over extradition legislation that could be used to send political dissidents to mainland China.
The ambassador was called in for a dressing down by the Foreign Office, which said he had inaccurately accused the UK of supporting violent protests. Seeking to avoid making the row worse, Mr Hunt said: “We have good relations with China ... there’s no reason why that can’t continue.
"But, for us, it is very important that the ‘one country, two systems’ approach is honoured.”
He declined to spell out what the consequences might be, preferring “strategic ambiguity”, adding: “The reason that you wouldn’t spell it out is because you don’t want to provoke the very situation you are trying to avoid.”
He went on: “I’m not saying anything about what those consequences might be — that would not be the right thing for me to do as Foreign Secretary, because, of course, you keep your options open.
"But I am making the point that the United Kingdom views this situation very, very seriously.”
