China trip sidelines human rights for trade

Published on Monday 8 November 2010 17:08

THE coalition government has made it clear it will put trade ahead of human rights, as the Prime Minister arrived in China.

• The Union Jack is hoisted next to the flag of the People's Republic of China in front of Tiananmen Gate ahead of Cameron's visit Picture: Getty

David Cameron is leading the biggest government delegation ever sent to China from Britain, with 43 business represented, along with Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

But Mr Cable made it clear he would not "lecture" China on its human rights record or pollution, despite being the world's biggest polluter and heading the international league table on executions.

Instead, the coalition wanted to highlight the business opportunities with the world's fastest-growing economy, and before Mr Cameron had even landed, millions of pounds worth of new deals were announced.

However, the news followed a warning that Scottish firms will continue to lag behind their UK counterparts in making headway into China and the other "BRIC" economies, Brazil, Russia and India, as The Scotsman reported on Monday.

Mr Cable and Mr Osborne had flown to Beijing ahead of the PM to begin three days of intensive trade talks. Mr Cable said: "These talks take the relationship between the UK and China to a new level. I warmly congratulate those companies which have announced deals

"China is a huge opportunity for UK businesses, and I would urge more companies to follow in their footsteps. China is our ninth-largest export market, but it is the world's second-largest economy and the potential for expanding our partnership is huge."

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On human rights, he added: "I don't think we will approach it by lecturing them, but they know this is part of the wider political and economic framework in which we operate."

The comments were met with disappointment by democracy and human rights campaigners.

Ai Weiwei, a leading artist who is under house arrest in China, wrote: "Cameron should ask the Chinese government not to make people disappear or to jail them merely because they have different opinions."

Deals announced involve Benoy, Clyde Blowers, Eco-Solids, Ultra Electronics, Delcam, Utilise, Tesco, Oleo, NorthgateArinso, Arup, the Aircraft Research Association, Group Rhodes, the International Visual Communications Association, The Alloy, David Lock Associates and University College London. Among the deals was one between Clyde Blowers, headed by the Scottish entrepreneur Jim McColl, and Yima Coal Industry Group to supply coal injection technology for three gasifiers, worth 2 million.

Despite Mr Cable's comments, Mr Cameron's aides said he would raise some human rights issues in private.

But the Prime Minister also wanted to underline the importance of the trade links with China.

He said: "Our message is simple.

Britain is now open for business, has a very business-friendly government and wants to have a much, much stronger relationship with China."