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HomeDiplomacyChina has created challenges across the world, UK watching LAC situation —...

China has created challenges across the world, UK watching LAC situation — new British envoy

The UK and India are scheduled to have a trade dialogue on 24 July to explore ways for a free trade agreement between the two.

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New Delhi: Referring to the dispute along the Line of Actual Control and in Hong Kong, the UK Thursday said some of the actions being taken by China have created “challenges around the world” even as the Boris Johnson government is keen to “engage” with Beijing.

According to the new British High Commissioner to India Philip Barton, the UK is particularly concerned with China’s moves in Hong Kong where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has rolled out a National Security Law.

“There have been tragic loss of lives… But the UK is watching the progress and managing of tensions by both sides (India and China) on border tensions… There are challenges around for Chinese actions. Hong Kong is a particular challenge for us, we are also seeing challenges in the South China Sea,” Barton said at a virtual media briefing.

He added that what China did in Hong Kong is clearly a “violation of the Hong Kong-China declaration”. The declaration was signed in 1997 when Britain handed over sovereignty over Hong Kong to China after 156 years of colonial rule.

On Wednesday, the UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel announced details to provide citizenship to about 3 million people living in Hong Kong.


Also readChina says new security law in Hong Kong hangs ‘Sword of Damocles’ over critics


India-UK trade talks

On 24 July, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will be virtually meeting Liz Truss, International Trade Secretary of the UK, to discuss ways to have a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK.

“Both sides will discuss issues related to deepening of trade and business ties … There will be talks on trade barriers, more investments,” Barton said, adding that the UK is negotiating with the European Union for a favourable market access and trade issues even as they prepare to leave the 27-nation bloc completely by December 2020.

The decision to hold the ministerial dialogue virtually was finalised during a meeting earlier this month between Foreign Secretary Harsh V. Shringla and the high commissioner.

Truss had stated earlier that the UK is looking forward to have an FTA based on “free and fair” trade with several like-minded countries such as India.


Also read: UK-China fight to get ugly as London is set to suspend extradition pact with Hong Kong


 

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