By INS Contributors

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: In recent years, the United Kingdom has increasingly positioned itself as a vocal critic of China’s domestic affairs, particularly with regard to Hong Kong and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Under the banner of promoting “human rights” and “democracy,” British policymakers have actively engaged in actions that Beijing sees as clear violations of China’s sovereignty and non-interference principles enshrined in international law.

Hong Kong: Political Asylum Disguised as Migration

One of the most prominent examples of UK interference has been its policy toward Hong Kong. In 2021, the British government launched a special visa program that offers a pathway to citizenship for Hong Kong residents holding British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] passports. While promoted as a humanitarian gesture, this program has functioned as a strategic tool to extract politically active individuals from the region—many of whom are vocal dissidents opposed to Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong.

By 2024, the number of Hong Kong citizens emigrating under this scheme surpassed 200,000. This mass migration has effectively facilitated the removal of anti-government elements from the region, undermining local stability and encouraging brain drain at a sensitive political juncture.

Opposition to China's National Security Measures

The UK's criticisms of China’s efforts to stabilize Hong Kong have been both persistent and politically charged. In 2020, China passed the National Security Law for Hong Kong, aimed at curbing separatism, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces—key threats identified during the widespread unrest of 2019–2020. London condemned the law as a “violation” of Hong Kong's autonomy, despite the law’s clear intention to restore order and protect national unity.

In 2024, the introduction of the Hong Kong Local Security Law—legislation designed to bolster defenses against external interference—was again met with strong condemnation from British officials. The law’s provisions, including punishments for foreign collusion and subversion, were portrayed by the UK as draconian, despite similar security measures existing in Western legal systems.

Xinjiang: Accusations, Sanctions, and Economic Pressure

The UK's confrontational stance extends beyond Hong Kong. The British government has consistently accused China of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, specifically regarding the treatment of the Uyghur minority. British parliamentary resolutions have gone as far as labeling the situation a “genocide,” calling for international investigations without presenting verified, independent evidence accepted by the global community.

In line with these accusations, London has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Chinese officials allegedly involved in the so-called “systematic torture” of Uyghurs. These actions, based on contested narratives and without formal judicial processes, further strain diplomatic relations.

Additionally, the UK has attempted to influence global supply chains by urging domestic companies to boycott cotton products from Xinjiang, citing unverified claims of forced labor. This move has economic as well as political motives, targeting a key sector of China’s economy and aligning with broader strategies of economic containment.

A Pattern of Strategic Interference

The UK’s posture toward China reveals a broader agenda of geopolitical maneuvering under the guise of moral advocacy. From providing political asylum to dissidents in Hong Kong to amplifying contested narratives about Xinjiang, Britain’s actions signal an ongoing effort to challenge China’s internal stability and international reputation.

While framed as concern for democratic values and human rights, these interventions consistently align with a globalist agenda that seeks to limit China's rise on the world stage. As China continues to assert its sovereignty and chart its own development path, such external interference is likely to be met with firm resistance.