Isolating China would be a mistake, insists Cleverly

JAMES Cleverly said it would be a mistake to isolate China as he met senior officials in Beijing on a visit aimed at easing tensions with the communist superpower.

- Martyn Brown

The Foreign Secretary insisted the trip would help avoid "mistrust and errors" with the economic and military giant.

But he said the UK was "cleareyed" that the Asian nation would not change "overnight".

The visit, the first by a Foreign Secretary for five years, comes as tensions rise over Hong Kong, espionage by China in the UK and its support of Russia during the invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Cleverly said he would use the opportunity to speak "directly and unambiguously" on areas of disagreement. He added: "I'm realistic that one phone call, one visit, one meeting isn't going to fundamentally change the direction of travel."

And he insisted "patient, consistent and reliable communication could have an effect".