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Stuart Lau

Britain has appointed a former top envoy to Hong Kong during the “umbrella movement” as its next ambassador to China, a move that comes as London hardens its stance on Beijing amid the row over its former colony.
The appointment of Caroline Wilson – who was consul general to Hong Kong and Macau between 2012 and 2016 – was announced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Monday.
She is expected to take up her ambassadorial role in September, succeeding Barbara Woodward.
Wilson is currently the FCO’s Europe director, in charge of Britain's new diplomatic relationship with the continent in the wake of Brexit.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be asked to represent the UK in China at this critical time,” said Wilson, 49.
“As major economies and leading members of the global community, the UK and China must continue to work together to develop our partnership. I look forward to returning to China to take the relationship forward,” she added.
The relationship is more stormy than she paints, as the stance on China is taking a hard turn within the British Parliament and Downing Street over issues such as 5G technology, coronavirus and most recently the situation in Hong Kong.
“This is an important juncture in the UK’s relationship with China, with both opportunities and challenges,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, praising Wilson as “an outstanding diplomat who will help us navigate the path ahead”.
British consul general: ‘one country, two systems’ has worked ‘incredibly well’ since handover
While top envoy to Hong Kong Wilson reportedly suggested Hong Kong’s pan-democratic lawmakers accept the universal suffrage plan proposed by the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. That plan, however, was vastly unpopular with the public, as it allowed Beijing to decide who could and could not run for the job of chief executive, despite giving all eligible voters a vote.
The proposal was ultimately voted down in the Hong Kong legislature, after 70-odd days of the Occupy Central movement, more commonly known as the umbrella movement.
At the time when Wilson was finishing her diplomatic posting in Hong Kong, she expressed optimism about “one country, two systems”.
“In any place, there are challenges,” she told an audience of Hongkongers in 2016. “I am absolutely confident that Hong Kong and China will overcome any small challenges and Hong Kong will continue to prosper and flourish.”


The China that Wilson will return to is different from the one she left four years ago, with Beijing expected to impose a national security law on Hong Kong.
Under a new British government visa plan – which will be put in place when Beijing formally enacts the law – all of the 3 million Hongkongers who qualify for a British National (Overseas) passport and their dependents can relocate to the United Kingdom to stay, work or study for extendable periods of 12 months, creating a path to citizenship.
“This would amount to one of the biggest changes in our visa system in British history,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last month. “If it proves necessary, the British government will take this step and take it willingly.”



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Britain

Former Hong Kong envoy chosen as new British ambassador to China

Caroline Wilson in Hong Kong in 2016. Photo: Felix Wong

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) speaks as British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward (L) listens during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 31, 2018. May is on a state visit to China as she seeks to bolster her country's global trade links ahead of its departure from the European Union. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Mark Schiefelbein

What is Occupy Central? 10 key facts about Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement

Occupy Central organisers have called for a non-violent protest. Photo: Felix Wong

A protester holds a placard saying "Calm Down!". Photo: K.Y. Cheng


Protests have spread to several districts of the city. Photo: Felix Wong

Pro-democracy activist and Occupy Central co-founders (from left) Chan Kin-man, Benny Tai attend a rally with student protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. Photo: AFP

Protesters scuffle with police officers at Connaught Road Central in Admiralty on September 28, 2014. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Joshua Wong Chi-fung arrested by police in the Government HQ on September 26, 2014.

Protesters at Connaught Road Central on September 28, 2014. Photo: Dickson Lee

Protesters demand Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying resign. Photo: Sam Tsang

Protesters occupying the main roads (from left) outside the government headquarters in Admiralty, outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok

Leung said on Tuesday morning he expected the protests to "last for quite a long period of time". Photo: Felix Wong

National security law for Hong Kong ‘not retroactive’, but can it be compatible with mainland Chinese legislation?

The difference in legal systems between Hong Kong and mainland China has left many sceptical of how legislation can be compatible. Photo: EPA-EFE

Interview with newly elected Hong Kong Bar Association Chairman Senior Counsel Philip Dykes. 19JAN18 SCMP/ Sam Tsang

Deng Zhonghua is appointed as the deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. 29DEC18. Handout

Xi Jinping says ‘China can come out of trade war in better shape than US’

Xi Jinping told the British ambassador he was confident in China’s ‘resilience’ in the event of a trade war. Phot: AFP 

Liu xia latest video filmed after Liu Xiao-bo died. PHOTO : HANDOUT

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Caroline Wilson was consul general to Hong Kong and Macau between 2012 and 2016, which included the Occupy Central movement
She is expected to assume the role in September, taking over from Barbara Woodward



Caroline Wilson was consul general to Hong Kong and Macau between 2012 and 2016, which included the Occupy Central movement.
