Relations between China and the UK have worsened as the Chinese Communist Party attracts criticism for its treatment of Hong Kong, oppression of Uighur Muslims and the ongoing Huawei row. Chris Whitehouse – who has worked in political campaigning and advising for 16 years – highlighted his concerns with China this week. He serves on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong – and claimed he received an email informing him that 10 arrests had been made in the territory to people who supported the Parliamentary Group.
The group of senior parliamentarians had published a damning report on police brutality in the administrative region.
The report called for sanctions on the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, who has been criticised for supporting Beijing’s line.
But calling for this has now been made illegal, Mr Woodhouse highlighted.
He said this could “have global implications because the National Security Law of Hong Kong (Section 38) applies to any act, by any individual, anywhere in the world regardless of whether they have or ever have had a connection with Hong Kong”.
He added: “In short, for publishing their report, a group of members of the British House of Commons and House of Lords could find warrants issued for their arrest.
“As my public affairs agency, The Whitehouse Consultancy, has specifically been cited by the police in their briefings for supporting the work of the group, me and my team could be subjected to warrants for our arrest, trial and incarceration for life, should we ever set foot in Hong Kong or mainland China.”
He made the claims in his column this week for CapX.
In 1997, the UK handed ownership of Hong Kong to China in a deal that saw the thriving region change hands but maintain its own autonomy.
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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in June that China’s passing of a controversial security law in Hong Kong is “a grave step”.
He said: “Despite the urging of the international community, Beijing has chosen not to step back from imposing this legislation.
“China has ignored its international obligations regarding Hong Kong. This is a grave step, which is deeply troubling.”
