UK Foreign Secretary Urges China to Curb Support for Russian Military

In a recent meeting with Chinese officials, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called on China to curb support for Russia's military amid its ongoing war with Ukraine. Lammy met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a two-day visit to Beijing, where he stressed the need for dialogue between the two countries despite disagreements.

A key issue discussed was China's role in aiding Russia's war efforts. Lammy directly urged Chinese leaders to take steps to ensure that no Chinese firms supply equipment to Russia's military-industrial complex. He warned that such support undermines China's relationships with European partners while propping up the Kremlin's aggression. However, Chinese officials maintained their position that Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other internal matters are not subject to foreign interference.

In addition to addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Lammy raised concerns over Beijing's crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong and Xinjiang province. This included calling for the release of detained Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai. While both sides agreed on the need for continued dialogue, their stance on these controversial human rights issues remained unchanged.

The trip marked the first visit by a British cabinet member since Labour took power in July. Officials stressed the visit's pragmatic aim of resetting ties, despite tensions over issues like espionage accusations and autonomy concerns in Hong Kong. Lammy and Wang affirmed their nations' shared interest in peace in Europe and discussed potential areas of cooperation, even as fundamental disagreements persist on geopolitical and rights issues. The dialogue between the two foreign ministers represented ongoing efforts to maintain communication as UK-China relations navigate complex challenges.