UK foreign secretary James Cleverly to visit China, says Beijing

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit China this week, Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. During the Wednesday visit, “the two sides will have in-depth communication on China-UK relations and on international and regional issues of shared concern”, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing. “It is hoped that the UK side will work alongside China in upholding a spirit of mutual respect, conduct in-depth exchanges, enhance understanding, and promote the stable development of China-UK relations,” he added. Cleverly’s visit was initially expected to take place in July, but was postponed due to the mysterious disappearance of Beijing’s now ex-foreign minister Qin Gang. Relations between the UK and China have soured over a number of issues, including human rights, tech and Beijing’s crackdown in the former British colony of Hong Kong. Hawkish elements in Britain’s ruling Conservative party have urged London to take a tougher stance on China. But Cleverly has called for a pragmatic, constructive and united Western approach to China’s rising clout, acknowledging the need to work in partnership with Beijing.