London-headquartered HSBC’s head of public affairs has reportedly criticized the UK for bowing to the demands of Washington, especially with regards to China.
During a closed-door event in June, HSBC head of public affairs Sherard Cowper-Coles told attendants that the UK should look after its own interests rather than simply siding with Washington’s demands, according to a «Bloomberg» report citing unnamed sources. One such demand was for the UK to adopt export control policies that were similar to the US.
«I apologize for any offence caused,» said Cowper-Coles, who is also the chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, adding that the remarks were only his own «personal comments».
HSBC, which generates the majority of its profits in Asia, continues to be caught in the middle of US-China tensions. It has drawn criticism from both sides for various actions including cooperation with Washington over the Huawei probe or public support for the national security law imposed in Hong Kong.
