BEIJING (AP) – Britain's foreign secretary said engagement with China is “real and necessary” on his first ministerial visit since the Labor government took power in July.
David Lamy was scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang on Friday and with Foreign Minister Wang Yi later the same day.
His two-day visit comes after relations have cooled in recent years over spying allegations, China's support for Russia in the war in Ukraine and a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony that is now part of the country. , an attempt to reset relations with China. of china.
Mr Lamy said: “From stopping Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine to supporting the global green transition, we must speak frequently and openly across both areas of conflict and cooperation that serve the UK's national interests.” It was reported that. News release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, Ramy called on China to end its political and economic support for Russia's war effort.
The United States on Thursday sanctioned two Chinese companies for allegedly helping Russia manufacture long-range attack drones used in the Ukraine war. The Chinese embassy in Washington said the claim was false.
Mr Lamy will also visit Shanghai and meet with British business leaders, a Foreign Office release said. China, including Hong Kong, is the UK's fourth largest trading partner.
Human rights groups called on Lamy to pressure the Chinese government over its crackdown on dissidents in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said securing the release of British national Jimmy Lai was a priority. The Hong Kong media publisher has been detained since December 2020 and is scheduled to defend himself in a landmark national security trial next month.
