British diplomats fuming over Hong Kong's snub of Hugo Swire
Foreign Office minister was denied meetings to discuss political reform with the city's top two leaders during a visit earlier this month
British diplomats have expressed outrage and frustration over a snub delivered to their most senior official on Hong Kong during a visit to the city earlier this month for key discussions over political reform.
It has emerged that British Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire - the UK's top official on Hong Kong and China affairs - was denied meetings with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, in a protocol breach that has left diplomats of the former colonial power fuming.
It is believed to be the first time since 1997 that London's top representative on Hong Kong has not met with the city's most senior officials while visiting, and comes amid strained relations after British parliamentarians were denied entry to probe political developments in the city.
It also comes days after it was announced President Xi Jinping would make his first official visit to Britain later this year.
"It was outrageous. For a minister of this rank not to get meetings with any government figures is unheard of," said one source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another source, in London, spoke of the "frustration" felt by the British as they attempt to support the government on political reform in Hong Kong.
On his return to Britain Swire told a UK parliamentary committee that Beijing feared his visit could spark renewed pro-democracy protests.