UK is set to boost its ability to handle threats posed by Russia and China in space as part of a foreign, security and defence policy review being conducted by the UK government, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said late on Saturday.

Britain on Thursday said it was concerned about a Russian satellite test which involved the launch of a projectile with the "characteristics of a weapon".

"This week we have been reminded of the threat Russia poses to our national security with the provocative test of a weapon-like projectile from a satellite threatening the peaceful use of space," Wallace wrote in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, adding that China also posed a threat.

"China, too, is developing offensive space weapons and both nations are upgrading their capabilities. Such behaviour only underlines the importance of the review the (UK) government is currently conducting," he added.

Tensions between Britain and Russia have been high in recent weeks, as Britain has targetted Russians with new sanctions, accused Russian actors of trying to meddle in last year's election and said Moscow has tried to hack into vaccine research.

Separately, Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered equipment from China's Huawei Technologies to be purged completely from Britain's 5G network by the end of 2027.

China - once courted as the prime source of investment in British infrastructure projects - has accused Britain of pandering to the United States.

The Mail on Sunday reported that Johnson was also set to overhaul the United Kingdom's treason laws to counter threats posed by China and Russia, with the step likely to see a new Treason Act, a new Espionage Act and a rewriting of the Official Secrets Act.

(with inputs from Reuters)

UK is set to boost its ability to handle threats posed by Russia and China in space as part of a foreign, security and defence policy review being conducted by the UK government, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said late on Saturday.

UK is set to boost its ability to handle threats posed by Russia and China in space as part of a foreign, security and defence policy review being conducted by the UK government, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said late on Saturday. Britain on Thursday said it was concerned about a Russian satellite test which involved the launch of a projectile with the "characteristics of a weapon". "This week we have been reminded of the threat Russia poses to our national security with the provocative test of a weapon-like projectile from a satellite threatening the peaceful use of space," Wallace wrote in The Sunday Telegraph newspaper, adding that China also posed a threat. "China, too, is developing offensive space weapons and both nations are upgrading their capabilities. Such behaviour only underlines the importance of the review the (UK) government is currently conducting," he added. Tensions between Britain and Russia have been high in recent weeks, as Britain has targetted Russians with new sanctions, accused Russian actors of trying to meddle in last year's election and said Moscow has tried to hack into vaccine research. Separately, Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered equipment from China's Huawei Technologies to be purged completely from Britain's 5G network by the end of 2027. China - once courted as the prime source of investment in British infrastructure projects - has accused Britain of pandering to the United States. The Mail on Sunday reported that Johnson was also set to overhaul the United Kingdom's treason laws to counter threats posed by China and Russia, with the step likely to see a new Treason Act, a new Espionage Act and a rewriting of the Official Secrets Act. (with inputs from Reuters)

UK to boost ability to handle space threat from Russia, China

A new British policy allowing Hong Kong residents to claim UK citizenship is a violation of international law and interferes with China's internal affairs, China's embassy in London said on Thursday.

UK Interior Minister Priti Patel announced on Wednesday that citizens of Hong Kong with British National Overseas visas would be able to apply for citizenship starting from January 2021.

Britain had made that decision despite opposition from Beijing. To this end, China said it would respond strongly if it was not reversed.

The move "severely violated (Britain's) own commitments, seriously interfered with the internal affairs of China and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations," the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

It added, "The Chinese side urges the British side to recognise the reality that Hong Kong has returned to China, to look at the Hong Kong national security law objectively and immediately correct its mistakes."

London's decision, which could allow nearly three million Hong Kong residents to settle in Britain, came after Beijing imposed a national security law on the former British colony that democracy activists said would end the freedoms promised in 1997 when the territory was returned to Chinese rule.

Britain says the law breaches the terms of the handover treaty agreed in 1984. China accuses Britain of interfering in Hong Kong and Chinese affairs.

A new British policy allowing Hong Kong residents to claim UK citizenship is a violation of international law and interferes with China's internal affairs, China's embassy in London said on Thursday.

A new British policy allowing Hong Kong residents to claim UK citizenship is a violation of international law and interferes with China's internal affairs, China's embassy in London said on Thursday. UK Interior Minister Priti Patel announced on Wednesday that citizens of Hong Kong with British National Overseas visas would be able to apply for citizenship starting from January 2021. Britain had made that decision despite opposition from Beijing. To this end, China said it would respond strongly if it was not reversed. The move "severely violated (Britain's) own commitments, seriously interfered with the internal affairs of China and seriously violated international law and the basic norms of international relations," the Chinese embassy said in a statement. It added, "The Chinese side urges the British side to recognise the reality that Hong Kong has returned to China, to look at the Hong Kong national security law objectively and immediately correct its mistakes." London's decision, which could allow nearly three million Hong Kong residents to settle in Britain, came after Beijing imposed a national security law on the former British colony that democracy activists said would end the freedoms promised in 1997 when the territory was returned to Chinese rule. Britain says the law breaches the terms of the handover treaty agreed in 1984. China accuses Britain of interfering in Hong Kong and Chinese affairs.

UK citizenship pathway for Hong Kong residents violates international law, says China

United Kingdom to reduce Chinese firm's investment to zero by 2023. UK to reduce Huawe's role in 5G networks. Watch this video to know more.

United Kingdom to reduce Chinese firm's investment to zero by 2023

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UK to boost ability to handle space threat from Russia, China

UK citizenship pathway for Hong Kong residents violates international law, says China

United Kingdom to reduce Chinese firm's investment to zero by 2023