Former Conservative leader Ian Duncan Smith, one of China’s fiercest critics in the House of Commons, accused the government of an “incoherent” approach to the Asian giant and a policy of “appeasement”.
London, Thanasis Gavos
In the Beijing for an official visit is the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverleywho defended his trip in the face of criticism mainly from Conservative MPs who see China as a “dangerous enemy”.
Mr Cleverley specifically said that stopping Britain from engaging with China “would not be credible”. He added that his contacts will help prevent “mistrust and mistakes”.
THE former Conservative Party leader Ian Duncan Smithone of China’s fiercest critics in the House of Commons, accused the government of an “incoherent” approach to the Asian giant and a policy of “appeasement”.
A recent report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee has also criticized the British government’s attitude towards a country described as a “threat to the UK and its interests”.
Cleverly’s visit is the first by a British minister to China in five years. The bilateral relationship has been strained by China’s persecution of citizens in Hong Kong and other human rights and civil liberties issues, the threat of Chinese espionage and covert political influence operations in the UK, and China’s stance towards Russia in the Ukraine war.
In statements to various British media, James Cleverley spoke of restoring lines of communication with Beijing and of “straight and clear” discussion on issues in which there are disagreements. He assured that he will not hesitate to raise the sensitive and difficult issues that need to be discussed.
Already Mr Cleverly has met Chinese Vice President Han Zieng and will meet his counterpart Wang Yi.
Source :Skai
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