Human rights ‘not off limits’ in China talks

As the two leaders announced a package of trade deals worth £1.4bn, the Prime Minister said he would always raise difficult questions about political freedom and the justice system alongside seeking closer economic ties.

Meanwhile, Mr Wen said Britain and Beijing had to treat each other as “equals” on human rights.

He stressed that China was pursuing “political structural reform and improvement of democracy and the rule of law” as well as economic growth.

The comments came at a Press conference in central London during Mr Wen’s three-day visit to the UK.

Asked whether he had raised human rights during the talks, Mr Cameron said: “There is no trade-off in our relationship. It is not about either discussing trade or human rights.

“Britain and China have such a strong and developed relationship. We have a dialogue that covers all these issues, and nothing is off limits in the discussions that we have.”

He added: “We are different countries, we have different histories, different stages of development.

“We should show each other respect. But we’re very clear that political and economic development should go hand in hand, that one supports the other.”

Mr Wen said: “On human rights, China and the UK should respect each other, respect the facts, treat each other as equals, engage in more co-operation than finger-pointing and resolve our differences through dialogue.”

He went on: “China is not only pursuing economic development but also political structural reform and improvement in democracy and the rule of law.”

In a possible sign of irritation at being asked questions about human rights by British reporters, Mr Wen said China believed states should not address one another “in a lecturing way” on the issue.

“I am confident that tomorrow’s China will enjoy not only economic prosperity but improved democracy and legal systems. It will be a country based on the rule of law,” he added.

Mr Cameron said trade with China represented a “huge opportunity” for the UK, and the countries were “on target” to meet their aim of expanding bilateral trade to $100bn (£62.7bn) by 2015, he said.

And he said that, as an open economy, Britain was “the natural home for Chinese investment into Europe, making clear this could include major national infrastructure projects such as the planned high-speed rail link between London and the North.