Hong Kong spars with U.K. over MP's entry denial, blasts U.S. tariffs

'Wolf warrior' messaging comes as city marks 'National Security Education Day'

Hong Kong is a friction point between the governments of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping. After the city refused entry to one of its members of parliament, who was on a personal trip, Britain said that "it would be unacceptable for any MP to be denied entry for simply expressing their views."(Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters)

KENJI KAWASE

April 15, 2025 15:06 JST

TOKYO -- The U.K. and Hong Kong are feuding over the city's refusal to admit a British parliamentarian who has been active in a global alliance of Western lawmakers seeking accountability for China's suppression of democratic values.

The spat coincides with the Hong Kong government's celebrations on Tuesday of China's 10th "National Security Education Day," symbolizing the city's full embrace of Chinese President Xi Jinping's notion of a "holistic approach to national security." It also comes as Hong Kong is caught in the intensifying trade war between Beijing and Washington, sparking harsh language from officials and heightening the importance of other relationships.