This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/16/nick-clegg-china-shackled-communism

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nick Clegg: China is 'shackled to communist doctrine' Nick Clegg: China is 'shackled to communist doctrine'
(about 2 hours later)
The people of China are "politically shackled" to a communist one-party state that is guilty of the systematic abuse of human rights, Nick Clegg said on Monday as the Queen prepared to welcome Premier Li Keqiang to Windsor Castle on Tuesday.The people of China are "politically shackled" to a communist one-party state that is guilty of the systematic abuse of human rights, Nick Clegg said on Monday as the Queen prepared to welcome Premier Li Keqiang to Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
Downing Street declined to endorse the remarks of the deputy prime minister as the Tory business minister Michael Fallon said that human rights should not be allowed to "get in the way" of growing trade links.Downing Street declined to endorse the remarks of the deputy prime minister as the Tory business minister Michael Fallon said that human rights should not be allowed to "get in the way" of growing trade links.
A series of multibillion-pound trade deals will be announced during Li's three-day visit, with a strong focus on energy. Sky News reported that BP would announce a deal, said to be worth more than £5bn, to supply liquefied natural gas to China. Shell is due to announce a partnership with the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation.A series of multibillion-pound trade deals will be announced during Li's three-day visit, with a strong focus on energy. Sky News reported that BP would announce a deal, said to be worth more than £5bn, to supply liquefied natural gas to China. Shell is due to announce a partnership with the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation.
As the government moved to provide a warm welcome for Li on his arrival on Monday evening by announcing a further liberalisation of the visa regime for all Chinese visitors, Clegg used strong language to condemn the entire Chinese political system.As the government moved to provide a warm welcome for Li on his arrival on Monday evening by announcing a further liberalisation of the visa regime for all Chinese visitors, Clegg used strong language to condemn the entire Chinese political system.
Speaking at the launch of the first phase of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the general election, the deputy prime minister said: "We can't ignore the large-scale and systematic human rights abuses which still continue in China to this day [and] the very widespread use of the death penalty."Speaking at the launch of the first phase of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the general election, the deputy prime minister said: "We can't ignore the large-scale and systematic human rights abuses which still continue in China to this day [and] the very widespread use of the death penalty."
Clegg said China was embarking on "an extraordinary journey". But he added: "We have seen economic transformation on a scale possibly unheard of in the modern world where millions of people have become economically emancipated but where they are still politically shackled to a doctrine which is a one-party state communist doctrine which is the antithesis of the kind of open, democratic society that I believe in."Clegg said China was embarking on "an extraordinary journey". But he added: "We have seen economic transformation on a scale possibly unheard of in the modern world where millions of people have become economically emancipated but where they are still politically shackled to a doctrine which is a one-party state communist doctrine which is the antithesis of the kind of open, democratic society that I believe in."
Despite this background Britain would still have "very productive discussions" with the Chinese leadership and would build up strong commercial links. Clegg added: "It certainly doesn't mean that we should somehow commercially sever our ties because in the long run my view is that commercial prosperity in China, economic transformation in China will lead to an ever increasing pressure for social and political emancipation as well. That doesn't mean we can't in a respectful but firm way, as the prime minister did when he was in China recently, point out that we remain deeply deeply concerned about the very large scale abuse of human rights that still occur."Despite this background Britain would still have "very productive discussions" with the Chinese leadership and would build up strong commercial links. Clegg added: "It certainly doesn't mean that we should somehow commercially sever our ties because in the long run my view is that commercial prosperity in China, economic transformation in China will lead to an ever increasing pressure for social and political emancipation as well. That doesn't mean we can't in a respectful but firm way, as the prime minister did when he was in China recently, point out that we remain deeply deeply concerned about the very large scale abuse of human rights that still occur."
Downing Street indicated that the prime minister would choose different language. Asked whether Clegg was speaking for the government, the prime minister's spokesman said: "In terms of the government's approach it is to have the dialogue we have with China through the UK/China human rights dialogue. No issues are off the table...What you will see over the course of the next couple of days is further evidence of the strong and growing bilateral relationship between the UK and China." Downing Street indicated that the prime minister would choose different language. Asked whether Clegg was speaking for the government, the prime minister's spokesman said: "In terms of the government's approach it is to have the dialogue we have with China through the UK/China human rights dialogue. No issues are off the table... What you will see over the course of the next couple of days is further evidence of the strong and growing bilateral relationship between the UK and China."
Li, who arrived Monday night, will formally begin his visit when he is received by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. He will then travel to No 10 for a ministerial plenary session with the prime minister followed by a lunch with business leaders.Li, who arrived Monday night, will formally begin his visit when he is received by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. He will then travel to No 10 for a ministerial plenary session with the prime minister followed by a lunch with business leaders.
A press conference with Cameron will be held at the foreign office. A press conference with Cameron will be held at the Foreign Office.
Li will attend a business dinner in London tonight. On Wednesday he will make a speech at the Mansion House before attending the China Financial Forum at Lancaster House that will also be attended by George Osborne. Li will attend a business dinner in London on Tuesday and make a speech at the Mansion House on Wednesday before attending the China Financial Forum at Lancaster House, which will also be attended by chancellor George Osborne.
Theresa May, the home secretary, kicked off the trip last night by announcing that a pilot programme for tour operators to use a single form for UK and Schengen visa applications will apply to all visitors. Chinese and Indian visitors will also be able to use an Irish visa to enter the UK and vice versa. Theresa May, the home secretary, kicked off the trip on Monday night by announcing that a pilot programme for tour operators to use a single form for UK and Schengen visa applications will apply to all visitors. Chinese and Indian visitors will also be able to use an Irish visa to enter the UK and vice versa.
The home secretary said: "The number of Chinese people coming to Britain to visit and do business is soaring. They already enjoy a first-rate visa service and these changes will ensure it is easier than ever before to visit the UK and see first-hand everything this great country has to offer. May said: "The number of Chinese people coming to Britain to visit and do business is soaring. They already enjoy a first-rate visa service and these changes will ensure it is easier than ever before to visit the UK and see first-hand everything this great country has to offer.
"Having a visa system is vital to protecting Britain's borders and we won't relinquish control of them by joining Schengen. But I want to make sure they are as efficient as possible in welcoming tourists and business people from around the world.""Having a visa system is vital to protecting Britain's borders and we won't relinquish control of them by joining Schengen. But I want to make sure they are as efficient as possible in welcoming tourists and business people from around the world."