LONDON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - HSBC's head of public affairs has apologised after reportedly saying that Britain had been "weak" for going along with U.S. demands to curtail business dealings with China.
HSBC (HSBA.L), , which makes the bulk of its profit in Asia, has faced criticism from Western lawmakers over its dealings with China.
"I was speaking at a private event under Chatham House Rule and my personal comments don't reflect the views of HSBC or the China-Britain Business Council.
I apologise for any offence caused," Cowper-Coles said in a statement provided by HSBC on Monday.
The Chatham House Rule, named after a London-based foreign affairs think tank, means participants can use information received but cannot identify the speaker nor their affiliation, according to the Chatham House website.
Persons:
Sherard Cowper, Cowper, Coles, Mike Pompeo, Iain Withers, Susan Fenton
Organizations:
Washington, Bloomberg, HSBC, Coles, China - Britain Business Council, Chatham House, Britain's, Chatham, Thomson
Locations:
Britain, China, Coles, West, Asia, British, London, Chatham, Hong Kong, Beijing