Wang Yi (L), a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, meets with James Cleverly, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany on Feb. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
"We have an interest in continuing to benefit from Chinese investment," says James Cleverly.
NEW YORK, April 28 (Xinhua) -- As its closest ally, Britain takes a very different stand from the United States while dealing with China, Washington Examiner has reported, citing a speech by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
It intends to view China "through the prism of trade engagement rather than security threat," as can be seen from Cleverly's address delivered on Tuesday in London, the news outlet reported.
"This was a speech designed to mitigate Washington's anger while ultimately avoiding China's red lines and offering Beijing an outstretched hand for new cooperation," noted the report.
As Cleverly put it, "we must face the inescapable reality that no significant global problem from climate change to pandemic prevention, from economic instability to nuclear proliferation, can be solved without China," the report said.
When it came to Britain's business interests in China, Cleverly said he was "pushing for a level playing field and fairer competition."
"We have an interest in continuing to benefit from Chinese investment," he continued.
"By highlighting trade interests and the need for what China would call 'win-win cooperation' in other areas, such as climate change, Cleverly is sending Beijing a clear message -- namely that the UK is not on the same page as the U.S. when it comes to China relations," added the report. ■