Minister defends Reeves’ China trip after warrants issued for UK-based activists
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A minister has defended Rachel Reeves’ visit to China in the wake of arrest warrants being issued for pro-democracy activists living in the UK. Foreign Office minister Catherine West said Britain must “sometimes be involved” with countries whose values “may not completely align with ours”, and that British businesses in Hong Kong say it is “so lovely” when they are visited by MPs.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith – who is one of a number of MPs sanctioned by China – said the UK will not be taken seriously until sanctions are imposed. The Chancellor is due to visit China this week for talks with vice premier He Lifeng, following a meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November.
But MPs questioned the Government on the visit going ahead in the wake of arrest warrants being issued by the Hong Kong police for pro-democracy activists. On Christmas Eve, Hong Kong police offered rewards for information leading to the arrests of six campaigners, four of whom are currently living in the UK.
In an urgent question in the Commons, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the warrants “show this Government’s supposed reset with China is just one way”. She said: “Before meeting President Xi, the Prime Minister had said he wanted a relationship that is consistent, durable and respectful, and stated that the pair agree that there be no more surprises.”.
Dame Priti added: “Can the minister confirm with a simple yes or no, whether the Chancellor is going to be raising these bounties at the highest level when she jets off to China next week to beg for a quick investment for the bailout of her failing economic strategy? She cannot ignore the human rights issues on her visit.”.
