Britain defended its measured response to an incident in Manchester in which Chinese diplomats were accused of assaulting a Hong Kong protester on Sunday.
Hardliners in the ruling Conservative Party have demanded that the diplomats involved be expelled, accusing the UK government of appeasing Beijing.
However, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly insisted that it was proper to wait for a police investigation into the Manchester incident, which occurred in October, rather than acting on widely circulated video.
“Our diplomatic decisions will always be based on the rule of law and due process,” he said on BBC television, contrasting himself with other countries that may act without evidence.
“We will ensure that our response is robust but clearly based on rules,” he said after diplomats were accused of dragging the protester into the consulate grounds and beating him up.
Cleverly also stated that the government required more evidence on reported “secret” Chinese police stations operating on British soil.
Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United States have already taken action in response to reports that China was using such outposts to spy on and intimidate its nationals living abroad.
Cleverly stated that “we have seen some really, really inappropriate, unacceptable behavior” from China, citing Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and development loans to poorer countries.
However, he emphasized the potential for collaboration with Beijing on issues such as climate change, as the UK seeks a more nuanced approach to the world’s second-largest economy.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated a fortnight ago that the “golden era” of relations with China had ended, but that his government would pursue “robust pragmatism” in dealing with global competitors.
“China is an incredibly challenging country on the international stage,” Cleverly said ahead of a speech Monday touting the need for Britain to look beyond its traditional allies in the post-Brexit era.
When he led the country out of the European Union, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson touted a “Global Britain” seeking new international partnerships.
However, the concept is still in its early stages, both in terms of trade and security, and Britain is currently suffering from double-digit inflation.
According to Cleverly’s office, the UK is ready to make “beta investments” in Latin American, Asian, and African countries that were not “traditional partners” in the past.
Cleverly says, “The UK offer will be tailored to their needs and UK strengths, spanning trade, investment, development, defense, technology, and climate change.”
“This will be backed up by a reliable source of infrastructure investment,” he will say, as the G7 club of rich nations attempts to counter China’s own debt-fueled development aid.
“We will demonstrate strategic endurance and a willingness to commit for the long term.”
