The United Kingdom is to immediately suspend extraditions to Hong Kong following China implementing the new national security law for the special administrative region, Britain's foreign secretary has announced on Monday.
Speaking to members of the British Parliament in the House of Commons, Dominic Rabb claimed the move was "a reasonable and proportionate response" to what he said was "China's failure to live up to … international obligations with respect to Hong Kong".
"We want to work with China," Raab said. "There is enormous scope for positive, constructive, engagement. But, as we strive for that positive relationship, we are also clear-sighted about the challenges that lie ahead."
The announcement came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the British government will not "completely abandon our policy of engagement" with Beijing.
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Wang Wenbin, earlier on Monday said recent remarks and actions by Britain in connection with Hong Kong violated international laws and international relations, and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs.
"It has turned a blind eye to the simple fact that the enacted national security law is for the sustained success of 'one country, two systems'," Wang said. "We strongly condemn this and urge the British government not to go further down the wrong path, as so to avoid further harm to Sino-UK relations."
