British PM sends mixed message on China

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a mixed tone toward China on Wednesday as he called himself a "Sinophile" while claiming that he sees "no contradiction" with his latest ideas and comments regarding Hong Kong and Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei.

At the daily news conference on Wednesday at No 10, Downing Street, Johnson said, "I am a Sinophile. I believe, I think China is an incredible country and an extraordinary civilization and I deeply disapprove of anti-Chinese xenophobia attacks on people of Chinese appearance that we've seen in recent months."

He made the remarks after a reporter asked about his plan to remove Huawei from Britain's 5G network entirely from 2023.

Prior to his "Sinophile" remarks, he said, "I think that's the right thing to do on high-risk vendors in our critical national infrastructure. Well, you know my views, I think we've got to make sure that we have solutions for the UK that protect UK security and that's what this government is going to achieve."

Earlier on Wednesday, the British leader published signed articles on The Times newspaper and South China Morning Post, threatening to retaliate against the recent decision by China's top legislature, National People's Congress, over the national security legislation regarding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by offering Hong Kong residents a path to UK citizenship.

At the daily news conference, he was asked about the article and the possibility of returning to "business as normal with China".

In response, he said, "I see absolutely no contradiction with what I've said earlier about Hong Kong and high-risk vendors in critical national infrastructure and wanting a good, friendly, clear-eyed, working relationship with China and that's what this country will have."

Beijing on Wednesday warned the UK that its interference in Hong Kong's affairs will "definitely backfire" in the wake of comments made by UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over the national security legislation.

In a statement to members of parliament on Tuesday, Raab said the UK vows to build an international alliance of democracies going beyond "the usual suspects" to force China to step back from the brink over its plans.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a news briefing on Wednesday in Beijing that the national security legislation for Hong Kong is purely China's domestic affair, in which no foreign country has a right to interfere, and the UK should "step back from the brink".

On Tuesday, China's embassy in the United Kingdom strongly protested about a recent joint letter regarding the situation in Hong Kong that was signed by seven former foreign secretaries.

In the letter, former UK foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind together with six other former top UK diplomats expressed their "concerns" about the recent decision by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, on national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR.

They urged Johnson to raise this issue at the upcoming G7 meeting, and demanded formally instituting an International Contact Group to monitor the situation in Hong Kong, drawing inspiration from one that was formed in the 1990s to monitor developments in the Balkans.

"China expresses grave concern about and strong opposition to such flagrant interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs," an unnamed embassy spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The national security legislation for Hong Kong falls within the legislative power of the nation and the responsibility of the central government of China, the spokesperson said, adding that the legislative move "has won full understanding and support from the international community".

The national security legislation for the Hong Kong SAR facilitates the better implementation of "one country, two systems" and helps safeguard the rights and freedom of Hong Kong residents, the spokesperson said.

In response to the issue of British Nationals Overseas passports, or BNOs, the spokesperson said the UK had clearly pledged in a memorandum of understanding exchanged with China that BNO passport holders who are Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong shall not have the right of abode in the UK.

"If the UK is bent on changing this unilaterally, it will not only go against its own position and promise but also violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations," the spokesperson added.