The United Kingdom is expected to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong on Monday, in a further escalation of worsening ties with China over Beijing's decision to impose a national security law on the territory, British newspapers reported.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will announce the suspension of the treaty in parliament, the Times and Daily Telegraph newspapers said, citing sources.

Britain's foreign office declined to comment. The United States, Australia, and Canada have already moved to suspend extradition treaties with the territory, while New Zealand is reviewing its options.

The UK has been dismayed by the crackdown in Hong Kong after a year of sometimes violent protests, and is also concerned about the treatment of ethnic Uighur people in China's far western region of Xinjiang.

On Sunday, Raab accused Beijing of "gross, egregious human rights abuses" in its "deeply troubling" treatment of ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang.

China defends internment camps for Uighur Muslims

The United Nations and rights groups say at least one million Uighurs have been detained in camps that China describes as vocational skills centres that are necessary to curb "extremism".

Raab told the BBC that reports of mass detention and forced sterilisation required international attention.

"We want a positive relationship [with China] but we cannot see behaviour like that and not call it out," the foreign secretary said.

End of 'golden era'

The two countries' differences over a host of issues are a far cry from the so-called "golden era" of ties once championed by former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered Huawei Technologies equipment to be removed completely from Britain's 5G network by the end of 2027.

China has accused Britain of pandering to the United States.

Earlier on Sunday, China's ambassador to Britain warned of a tough response if London attempted to sanction any of its officials, as some have demanded.

Al Jazeera

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