Britain’s Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has embarked on a significant visit to China. It marks the first such high-level visit by a British top diplomat to the country in over five years. This visit aims to strengthen the frayed bilateral ties between the two nations, which have deteriorated in recent times.
The strained relations have been influenced by several factors, including Beijing’s imposition of restrictions on civil liberties in Hong Kong – a former British colony, human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, China’s alignment with Russia, and the United Kingdom’s close security partnership with the United States.
Cleverly engaged with senior officials from the Chinese government. He revealed that he raised concerns about human rights violations in each of those discussions. He highlighted that the issue of human rights is extensively deliberated upon not only in bilateral interactions but also at international forums like the United Nations.
Cleverly underscored that the UK has maintained a consistent approach towards raising these concerns, and he intends to continue addressing these issues with Chinese authorities during his visit.
The Meetings
During his visit to China, James Cleverly held discussions with Vice President Han Zheng and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Han Zheng expressed the belief that the visit would contribute to the positive and stable development of bilateral relations.
Later in the day, Cleverly met with Wang Yi, who serves as both the ruling Communist Party’s top foreign affairs official and the foreign minister. Wang highlighted China’s regard for the UK’s status as a major power and emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in their relationship.
However, Wang acknowledged that there have been fluctuations in Sino-British relations and some skepticism about Cleverly’s visit. Wang’s statements underscored China’s policy of dialogue and collaboration with the UK.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is aiming for a balanced approach to relations with China. While describing China as a “systemic challenge,” he also recognizes the need to maintain a relationship with the Asian nation.
A report by the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee urged the government to adopt a more unified and coherent strategy towards China. The report emphasizes the importance of clarity and concrete steps in delivering the UK’s strategic shift towards the Asia-Pacific region, known as the “tilt” policy.
This policy, unveiled in 2021 as part of post-Brexit foreign policy changes, seeks to enhance ties with regional partners like India, Japan, and ASEAN countries while addressing China’s rising geopolitical influence.
