Obedient to MI6, UK PM Rishi Sunak tells world Kissinger's 'Golden era of UK-China relations is over'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63787877
Ex-MI6 director warns Sunak to say ‘necessary minimum’ about China over unrest
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1704206/China-protests-rishi-sunak-Xi-Jinping-authoritarian-regime-vn
As Chinese protesters continued to fight against the regime's "Zero Covid" strategy, Rishi Sunak on Monday spoke of the end of the "golden era" between the United Kingdom and the communist state.
By Tom Watling 17:48, Thu, Dec 1, 2022
China: UK should say the 'necessary minimum' says Nigel Inkster
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It is only the Chinese people that can topple its authoritarian regime, a former MI6 director has claimed, and that reality should encourage Rishi Sunak to say the “necessary minimum” about its leaders. Former MI6 operations and intelligence director Nigel Inkster urged the Prime Minister and his Government to follow the lead of US President Joe Biden in avoiding getting involved in the Chinese protests against the “Zero Covid” strategy, instead suggesting they let the “Chinese people speak for themselves”. Speaking in light of Mr Sunak’s comments on Monday, Mr Inkster warned that Britain must be “careful” not to overplay its hand given how reliant the world and UK economies are on Chinese exports.
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Mr Inkster said: “Well, I think they would do well to take a leaf out of the US book. The US have been playing this very well. President Biden’s press spokesman, when asked about what President Biden had to say [about the situation in China], replied nothing, the Chinese people are speaking for themselves.
“I think, quite honestly at the moment, that is the best thing we could do. There is already a narrative within China gathering momentum. The usual story, hostile foreign forces.
“I think the UK would be very well advised to say the necessary minimum and not appear to be getting too closely involved at this stage because, at the end of the day, let’s be honest the Chinese Communist Party will not give a damn what Britain thinks.
“So, they will do what they need to do. We do need to be careful. We are not going to change China. If China changes, the change will come from within.”
Speaking to dignitaries at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet on Monday night, Rishi Sunak said he “recognised China poses a systemic challenge” to the values of the United Kingdom.
In the same breath, however, he admitted western countries could not ignore China's influence over world affairs and its ability to help with shared challenges such as economic stability and climate change.
In his first major speech on foreign relations, he said: “The so-called ‘golden era’ is over, along with the naive idea that trade would lead to social and political reform.
“We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests, a challenge that grows more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism. Instead of listening to their people’s protests, the Chinese government has chosen to crack down further, including by assaulting a BBC journalist.
“The media – and our parliamentarians – must be able to highlight these issues without sanction, including calling out abuses in Xinjiang – and the curtailment of freedom in Hong Kong.”
READ MORE: China ease out COVID-19 restrictions after protests [REVEAL]
