Britain’s top diplomat in Hong Kong has said London hopes to see a new chapter in ties with the city especially on trade and investment and for difficult issues to be subjected more to honest behind-the-scenes discussions with less megaphone diplomacy.

Brian Davidson, British consul general to Hong Kong and Macau, said more ministerial exchanges lay ahead too, with Dominic Johnson, minister of state in the country’s Department for Business and Trade, expected in town from May 8 to 9, and three Hong Kong ministers – including finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po and health minister Lo Chung-mau – planning trips to London this year.