Why the UK is unlikely to shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

A British court convicted Bill Yuen Chung-biu, manager of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in London, and a retired Hong Kong police superintendent of spying on Hong Kong activists for Chinese authorities. Despite this verdict, observers believe the UK is unlikely to close the HKETO in London. This is because the British government reportedly wishes to maintain diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing. The Hong Kong government has denied any connection to the allegations, stating they are unrelated to its administration or the London office, while China's embassy in the UK has characterized the case as a political maneuver.