After the Peking statement went on to strongly deny Britain the right to protect even its own citizens under normal diplomatic practice, it was no wonder that "a slap in the face" appeared on the front pages of all the British broadsheets.
中共出言之強橫，根本否決了英國循外交途徑保護其公民的權利。無怪乎英國各大報多以「迎面一掌」為頭版標題，來形容麥氏此行的喪權辱國。