The United Kingdom has lambasted China for supporting Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a tweet that the United Kingdom completely rejected "any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands.''

''The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self-determination. China must respect the Falklands' sovereignty,'' she wrote.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We completely reject any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands. 
 
The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self determination. 
 
China must respect the Falklands' sovereignty 🇬🇧🇫🇰
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) <a href="https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/1490432163623456771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said China and Argentina inked an agreement on "jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road", marking Argentina's entry into the initiative.

China's BRI is a trillion-dollar push to improve trade links across the globe by building landmark infrastructure, and the inclusion of Argentina is a major win for Beijing in Latin America.&nbsp;

Chinese companies invested more than $20 billion in non-financial direct investment on projects in BRI countries in 2021, according to China's commerce ministry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/winter-olympics-china-warns-australia-uk-us-for-diplomatic-boycott-says-will-pay-price-for-wrong-acts-435445">Also read |&nbsp;Winter Olympics: China warns Australia, UK, US for diplomatic boycott, says 'will pay price for wrong acts'</a>

The deal came as Argentine President Alberto Fernandez made a three-day visit to China during which both sides also said they would continue to support each other on issues concerning sovereign interests.

The statement backed each other's territorial claims, the Falkland Islands for Argentina and China's dispute over Taiwan.

Relations with China have already been strained on multiple fronts, including Britain's joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics to protest China's human rights record.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warship-ignores-beijing-warnings-and-enters-the-south-china-sea-400943">Also read |&nbsp;UK warship ignores Beijing warnings and enters the South China Sea</a>

Argentina and Britain have long disputed ownership of the Falklands, with Argentina claiming sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls the Malvinas. The dispute led to a brief war in 1982.

The Falklands sit about 480 km (298 miles) northeast of the southern tip of South America. Fishing accounts for around half of its $300 million GDP, which along with oil and gas exploration, helped propel economic growth by 11 per cent&nbsp;a year on average between 2009-2018.

The economy ground to a halt last year when COVID-19 hit sectors such as tourism. The departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union has also presented a challenge because it has led to tariffs on the territory’s fish exports.

In contrast with several other small overseas territories, the Falkland Islands does not receive any direct budgetary assistance from the UK.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Kingdom has lambasted China for supporting Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a tweet that the United Kingdom completely rejected "any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands.

The United Kingdom has lambasted China for supporting Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands. British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a tweet that the United Kingdom completely rejected "any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands.'' ''The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self-determination. China must respect the Falklands' sovereignty,'' she wrote. We completely reject any questions over sovereignty of the Falklands. The Falklands are part of the British family and we will defend their right to self determination. China must respect the Falklands' sovereignty 🇬🇧🇫🇰 — Liz Truss (@trussliz) February 6, 2022 × Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said China and Argentina inked an agreement on "jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road", marking Argentina's entry into the initiative. China's BRI is a trillion-dollar push to improve trade links across the globe by building landmark infrastructure, and the inclusion of Argentina is a major win for Beijing in Latin America. Chinese companies invested more than $20 billion in non-financial direct investment on projects in BRI countries in 2021, according to China's commerce ministry. Also read | Winter Olympics: China warns Australia, UK, US for diplomatic boycott, says 'will pay price for wrong acts' The deal came as Argentine President Alberto Fernandez made a three-day visit to China during which both sides also said they would continue to support each other on issues concerning sovereign interests. The statement backed each other's territorial claims, the Falkland Islands for Argentina and China's dispute over Taiwan. Relations with China have already been strained on multiple fronts, including Britain's joining a US-led diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics to protest China's human rights record. Also read | UK warship ignores Beijing warnings and enters the South China Sea Argentina and Britain have long disputed ownership of the Falklands, with Argentina claiming sovereignty over the British-run islands it calls the Malvinas. The dispute led to a brief war in 1982. The Falklands sit about 480 km (298 miles) northeast of the southern tip of South America. Fishing accounts for around half of its $300 million GDP, which along with oil and gas exploration, helped propel economic growth by 11 per cent a year on average between 2009-2018. The economy ground to a halt last year when COVID-19 hit sectors such as tourism. The departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union has also presented a challenge because it has led to tariffs on the territory’s fish exports. In contrast with several other small overseas territories, the Falkland Islands does not receive any direct budgetary assistance from the UK. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain lambasts China for supporting Argentina's Falklands Islands claim

Britain on Wednesday blasted China for using a new national security law to stifle free speech in Hong Kong after the closure of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.

"The forced closure of Apple Daily by the Hong Kong authorities is a chilling blow to freedom of expression in Hong Kong," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

"It is crystal clear that the powers under the National Security Law are being used as a tool to curtail freedoms and punish dissent -- rather than keep public order," he said, demanding China respect its obligations over Hong Kong's 1997 handover from UK rule.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/under-pressure-hong-kongs-pro-democracy-publication-apple-daily-announces-closure-393323" hreflang="en">Hong Kong's pro-democracy publication Apple Daily announces closure</a>

Media advocacy groups believe that the&nbsp;closure of&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;Daily&nbsp;would undermine the former British colony's reputation as an open and free society and send a warning to other companies that could be accused of colluding with a foreign country.

The newspaper said on Sunday the freezing of its assets had left it with cash for "a few weeks" for normal operations.

Chief Editor Ryan Law, 47, and Chief Executive Cheung Kim-hung, 59, were denied bail on Saturday after being charged with conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country.

Three other executives were arrested on Thursday when 500 police officers raided the newspaper's offices, drawing condemnation from Western countries, global rights groups, and the UN&nbsp;spokesperson for human rights.

Those three are still under investigation but were released with bail.

Security Secretary John Lee told a news conference on Thursday the police operation against the&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;Daily&nbsp;was aimed at those who use reporting as a "tool" to endanger national security and did not target the media industry as a whole.

Hong Kong's Security Bureau said it would not comment given ongoing legal proceedings and any application related to the frozen property would be handled according to the law.

Rights group Amnesty International said on Twitter that this is "effectively a Hong Kong government ban of a newspaper."

The paper has come under increasing pressure since owner and Beijing critic Lai, who is now in jail, was arrested under the national security law last August and has since had some of his assets frozen.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain on Wednesday blasted China for using a new national security law to stifle free speech in Hong Kong after the closure of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.

Britain on Wednesday blasted China for using a new national security law to stifle free speech in Hong Kong after the closure of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. "The forced closure of Apple Daily by the Hong Kong authorities is a chilling blow to freedom of expression in Hong Kong," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. "It is crystal clear that the powers under the National Security Law are being used as a tool to curtail freedoms and punish dissent -- rather than keep public order," he said, demanding China respect its obligations over Hong Kong's 1997 handover from UK rule. Also read| Hong Kong's pro-democracy publication Apple Daily announces closure Media advocacy groups believe that the closure of Apple Daily would undermine the former British colony's reputation as an open and free society and send a warning to other companies that could be accused of colluding with a foreign country. The newspaper said on Sunday the freezing of its assets had left it with cash for "a few weeks" for normal operations. Chief Editor Ryan Law, 47, and Chief Executive Cheung Kim-hung, 59, were denied bail on Saturday after being charged with conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country. Three other executives were arrested on Thursday when 500 police officers raided the newspaper's offices, drawing condemnation from Western countries, global rights groups, and the UN spokesperson for human rights. Those three are still under investigation but were released with bail. Security Secretary John Lee told a news conference on Thursday the police operation against the Apple Daily was aimed at those who use reporting as a "tool" to endanger national security and did not target the media industry as a whole. Hong Kong's Security Bureau said it would not comment given ongoing legal proceedings and any application related to the frozen property would be handled according to the law. Rights group Amnesty International said on Twitter that this is "effectively a Hong Kong government ban of a newspaper." The paper has come under increasing pressure since owner and Beijing critic Lai, who is now in jail, was arrested under the national security law last August and has since had some of his assets frozen. (With inputs from agencies)

UK slams China for stifling dissent after Apple Daily announces closure

The UK has silently taken a step and expelled three Chinese spies who were working undercover as journalists. This declaration has come at a time when the tensions between the two countries have been growing over various issues.

The intelligence agency, MI5, had found out that the three spies had been originally working for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). However, the three had been posing as journalists of the UK and using the country's press agencies as a cover.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-confirms-covid-19-vaccine-with-astrazeneca-works-against-uk-variant-361608" hreflang="en">Oxford confirms COVID-19 vaccine with AstraZeneca works against UK variant</a>

Using journalism as a cover for spying has been an old form of espionage and has been a favourable method for the Chinese spies, especially the ones aiming for political and economic intelligence, especially from the first-world and powerful countries.

This has also raised concerns about the security within the country and the opposition has also called against the naive attitude of the UK government against China.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-plans-to-work-with-germanys-curevac-on-vaccines-against-coronavirus-variants-361599" hreflang="en">UK plans to work with Germany's CureVac on vaccines against coronavirus variants</a>

"We do need a more consistent view of China – and Russia – and understand more clearly how authoritarian and one-party states operate in the digital age," said Bob Seely, a Conservative MP.

Meanwhile, China has not openly commented on the issue yet. A foreign ministry spokesperson said that Beijing "reserves the right to make the necessary responses".

These Chinese foreign ministry has also alleged the BBC of publishing a "false report" as the UK media house aired an investigation that detailed and alleged&nbsp;China of treating the Uighur women in Chinese camps in an inhumane manner and subjecting them to systematic rape.&nbsp;

The UK has silently taken a step and expelled three Chinese spies who were working undercover as journalists. This declaration has come at a time when the tensions between the two countries have been growing over various issues.

The UK has silently taken a step and expelled three Chinese spies who were working undercover as journalists. This declaration has come at a time when the tensions between the two countries have been growing over various issues. The intelligence agency, MI5, had found out that the three spies had been originally working for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). However, the three had been posing as journalists of the UK and using the country's press agencies as a cover. Also read| Oxford confirms COVID-19 vaccine with AstraZeneca works against UK variant Using journalism as a cover for spying has been an old form of espionage and has been a favourable method for the Chinese spies, especially the ones aiming for political and economic intelligence, especially from the first-world and powerful countries. This has also raised concerns about the security within the country and the opposition has also called against the naive attitude of the UK government against China. Also read| UK plans to work with Germany's CureVac on vaccines against coronavirus variants "We do need a more consistent view of China – and Russia – and understand more clearly how authoritarian and one-party states operate in the digital age," said Bob Seely, a Conservative MP. Meanwhile, China has not openly commented on the issue yet. A foreign ministry spokesperson said that Beijing "reserves the right to make the necessary responses". These Chinese foreign ministry has also alleged the BBC of publishing a "false report" as the UK media house aired an investigation that detailed and alleged China of treating the Uighur women in Chinese camps in an inhumane manner and subjecting them to systematic rape.

UK expelled 3 Chinese spies posing as journalists

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday the UK&nbsp;should avoid falling into an "unthinking Sinophobia" amid tensions with China over human rights abuses and access to Britain's 5G market.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-condemn-chinese-abuse-against-uighur-minority-356359/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We've got to be very vigilant about what's happening with our critical national infrastructure and about the protection of our data and our cyberspace," Johnson said.

"But I don't want this country or this government to lurch into a position of sort of unthinking Sinophobia."

It comes after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced Britain will introduce new rules for companies to try to prevent goods linked to China's Xinjiang region entering the supply chain, toughening London's response to allegations of forced labour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-situation-us-uk-and-germany-corner-china-at-unsc-323216">Uighur situation: US, UK and Germany corner China at UNSC</a>

Britain has angered China by denouncing the implementation of controversial security law in its former colony of Hong Kong, which has been used against pro-democracy activists.

It has offered Hong Kongers a route to citizenship, by relaxing entry requirements for those with British National (Overseas) passports.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-deeply-concerned-after-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-charged-349104">UK says 'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai charged</a>

It has also blocked the involvement of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in Britain's 5G network, bowing to US pressure, which assesses the firm as a security risk.

And on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned what he said was the "barbarism" of China's treatment of its Uighur minority in northwest Xinjiang province.

Britain has now introduced import controls on firms who may have directly or inadvertently sourced goods from the province using forced Uighur labour.

That prompted an angry response from Beijing, which warned Britain to stop meddling in its internal affairs.

But Johnson told lawmakers that despite having to be vigilant, particularly about threats to critical national infrastructure and data from cyberspace, bilateral ties could be maintained.&nbsp;

Last year, Johnson banned Chinese tech giant Huawei from having a role in building Britain's next-generation mobile phone networks over security concerns triggered by US&nbsp;sanctions.

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday the UK should avoid falling into an "unthinking Sinophobia" amid tensions with China over human rights abuses and access to Britain's 5G market.

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday the UK should avoid falling into an "unthinking Sinophobia" amid tensions with China over human rights abuses and access to Britain's 5G market. "We've got to be very vigilant about what's happening with our critical national infrastructure and about the protection of our data and our cyberspace," Johnson said. "But I don't want this country or this government to lurch into a position of sort of unthinking Sinophobia." It comes after Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced Britain will introduce new rules for companies to try to prevent goods linked to China's Xinjiang region entering the supply chain, toughening London's response to allegations of forced labour. Also read: Uighur situation: US, UK and Germany corner China at UNSC Britain has angered China by denouncing the implementation of controversial security law in its former colony of Hong Kong, which has been used against pro-democracy activists. It has offered Hong Kongers a route to citizenship, by relaxing entry requirements for those with British National (Overseas) passports. Also read: UK says 'deeply concerned' after Hong Kong's Jimmy Lai charged It has also blocked the involvement of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in Britain's 5G network, bowing to US pressure, which assesses the firm as a security risk. And on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned what he said was the "barbarism" of China's treatment of its Uighur minority in northwest Xinjiang province. Britain has now introduced import controls on firms who may have directly or inadvertently sourced goods from the province using forced Uighur labour. That prompted an angry response from Beijing, which warned Britain to stop meddling in its internal affairs. But Johnson told lawmakers that despite having to be vigilant, particularly about threats to critical national infrastructure and data from cyberspace, bilateral ties could be maintained. Last year, Johnson banned Chinese tech giant Huawei from having a role in building Britain's next-generation mobile phone networks over security concerns triggered by US sanctions.

UK PM Boris Johnson warns against 'unthinking Sinophobia' amid tensions with China