The United Kingdom, which has been struggling with the novel coronavirus pandemic and has one of the highest totals of COVID-19 related deaths, has been raising its diplomatic profile since denouncing China over Beijing¡¯s new national security law for Hong Kong.
Following the approval of the legislation by the National People¡¯s Congress, China¡¯s rubber-stamp parliament, in May, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson¡¯s administration strongly condemned the move as a clear and serious breach of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. The declaration had stipulated that Hong Kong should continue to enjoy a high level of autonomy after its handover to China, thus reaffirming the ¡°one country, two systems¡± principle.
By issuing a joint statement with the United States, Australia and Canada, the U.K. took the lead in criticizing China for eroding Hong Kong¡¯s autonomy.
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