British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK is staying clear-eyed on China at a Wednesday meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing.
“We are clear-eyed about the areas where we have fundamental disagreements with China and I raised those issues when we meet. But I think it’s important to also recognize that we have to have a pragmatic, sensible, working relationship with China because of the issues that affect us all around the globe,” Mr. Cleverly said.
He noted that he foresees opportunities for the two countries. Despite disagreements in several areas.
Among them are the national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong, Chinese sanctions on some British lawmakers, London’s restrictions on Chinese investment, national security fears, and concerns about Chinese aggression toward Taiwan.
Mr. Cleverly is the first senior British minister in five years to visit China. While there, he also met with Chinese Vice leader Han Zheng. The meeting drew criticism from some UK lawmakers who viewed it as a sign of British weakness. Others argue a more positive relationship with China could benefit the globe.