Hunt’s ‘one wife, two countries’ gaffe during China mission
JEREMY HUNT has admitted to making a “terrible mistake” after describing his Chinese wife as Japanese during a diplomatic mission to Beijing.
The Foreign Secretary travelled to China for a visit to boost trade links and address sensitive issues including the human rights situation in Hong Kong.
But he made an embarrassing error when he described Lucia, his Chinese wife, as Japanese, quickly correcting himself as the moment was recorded.
At a meeting with his Chinese counterparts, Mr Hunt said: “My wife is Japanese … my wife is Chinese. Sorry, that’s a terrible mistake to make.” Mr Hunt later tweeted an apology to his wife and explained the mistake: “Rule #1 as a new Foreign Sec: when reflecting in English with the Chinese on a conversation you had with them in Japanese about your Chinese wife, don’t get any of those mixed up! Apologies to the long-suffering Mrs H…!”
Mr Hunt, who was appointed Foreign Secretary after Boris Johnson’s decision to leave the Cabinet, discussed trade, North Korea, nuclear weapons and climate change during the trip.
Asked if Theresa May was worried about her Foreign Secretary’s confusion over China and Japan, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No, I think he is very clear on that.”
At a press conference with his counterpart Wang Yi, Mr Hunt was asked about the situation in Hong Kong, which the UK handed back to China in 1997.
Under the “one country, two systems” model, Beijing promised to let Hong Kong maintain wide autonomy and civil liberties, but fears are growing that China’s leaders are backtracking by oppressing the political opposition.
Mr Hunt said: “We had a very open and frank discussion about the concerns raised by a number of people.” Mr Wang pointedly responded: “We do not welcome nor do we accept other countries to interfere in China’s domestic affairs.”