Hong Kong's Chief Executive has called on foreign governments to uphold the responsibilities of its overseas trade offices following the recent charges against a staff member in its London branch. The office manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, along with two others, has been accused by British police of engaging in activities to assist the Hong Kong intelligence service.
The Chief Executive emphasized that the primary role of the trade office in London is to strengthen ties with various sectors in Britain and promote Hong Kong. Any unwarranted allegations against the city's government are deemed unacceptable, as stated by the administration.
The trio was charged under a new national security act in the UK, which grants additional powers to combat foreign espionage. This development is likely to strain relations between Britain and China, with Chinese authorities denouncing the charges as baseless and slanderous.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently highlighted the growing threats posed by authoritarian states like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, underscoring the need for vigilance in the face of such challenges.
The three accused individuals were granted bail in a London court and are scheduled to appear for their next hearing on May 24. Reports indicate that the office manager in question is a former police officer in Hong Kong, as evidenced by his name appearing in local police materials online.
In response to a photo circulating with the Chief Executive and the accused individual, it was clarified that the image was from a graduation group photo, and the Chief Executive's impression of the person is solely based on that context.
