Why the UK is unlikely to shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict
Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties
The operations of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London will remain unaffected by a UK spying verdict, observers have said, arguing that the British government is unlikely to seek its closure so as to maintain relations with Beijing.
The Hong Kong government said the allegations were “absolutely unrelated” to both the administration and its London office, while Beijing’s embassy in the United Kingdom dismissed the case as a “political move”.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said on Friday that the case would not hamper the HKETO’s future in the UK as British authorities preferred better ties with the Chinese government given the current political climate.
“As this case remains in the legal arena rather than the political one, the impact will be minimal; the British government also currently wants to improve relations with China and the Hong Kong government,” he said.
He also said the British government’s follow-up action on the case depended on how Downing Street responded to its politicians who were critical of China.