Focus: GS-II International Relations
Why in news?
The UK escalated its ennui with China following Beijing’s recent enactment of a security law for Hong Kong by suspending the extradition treaty with it “immediately and indefinitely” and banned the export of items related to suppressing riots.
This action follows:
- Recent ban on Chinese company Huawei,
- High-profile expression of concern over the reportedly repressive treatment of Uighur Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China, and
- Previous offer of a path to UK citizenship to Hong Kong citizens holding the British National (Overseas) passports.
Details
- UK followed the example of the US, Australia and Canada by suspending extradition arrangements with Hong Kong.
- The arms embargo extends a measure in place for China since 1989, meaning that Britain will allow NO exports of potentially lethal weapons, their components or ammunition as well as equipment that might be used for internal repression such as shackles, firearms and smoke grenades.
- The review of the extradition measures comes only days after Britain backtracked on plans to give Chinese telecommunications company Huawei a role in the UK’s new high-speed mobile phone network.
- UK has already criticised China’s decision to impose a sweeping new national security law on Hong Kong.
- The UK has accused China of a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration under which the UK returned control of Hong Kong to China in 1997, and announced it would open a special route to citizenship for up to 3 million eligible residents of the community.
Related News from Other Countries
- Japan has protested to Beijing over a Chinese survey ship that operated for 10 days inside the exclusive economic zone claimed by Japan around Okinotorishima.
- Australia is scrutinising Chinese-owned TikTok for any risks it may pose to users from potential foreign interference and data privacy issues, following India’s Ban on several Apps (most of which are Chinese).
-Source: Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Hindu
