Why do we ignore stench of tyranny?

IT MAY seem funny that the Chinese government announced sanctions against various British politicians and others who have criticised its cruel, bigoted behaviour towards the Uighurs. What can they really do? The targets will all wear these attacks as badges of honour.

And yet, I am not so sure. I think the time will come when this horrible despotism can reach directly into our society, and harm its enemies here. Chinese power spreads constantly in our increasingly unfree country. We give in to Peking all the time. One early example of this was when the Chinese state successfully bullied the British media into calling their capital ‘Beijing’ – which is exactly why I never do so. French, German and Italian journalists don’t do this. It is quite illogical, and has no other purpose than to show who is boss. Encouraged by that kowtow, the Chinese kept pushing. When Chinese leaders visit Britain, our police meekly and obediently keep protesters out of sight, while allowing Pekingsponsored rent-a-mobs to parade unmolested.

On the most recent visit by President Xi, in 2015, a lone protester, Shao Jiang, stood by the path of the Chinese leader’s procession. In each hand he held up a small A4-sized placard (destroying excuses that he might have been hiding a weapon or a bomb). One said: ‘End autocracy.’ The other read: ‘Democracy now.’ Suddenly he was barged by three British police officers who pushed him backwards at the double, as he feebly protested.

He was then held overnight, for no good reason, and his home raided and searched, as it would have been in China.

No wonder the Chinese have felt free to trample and spit on their own promises to maintain freedom in Hong Kong. They can easily see we are so anxious for their business that we will put up with any humiliation to get it.

China laughs at our pretence of being a great power. Without guts among our governors, our costly weapons are as pointless as bathtub toys. Of course we have to trade with horrible countries, and hold our noses while we do so.

But our servility to China goes way beyond this. Far from holding our noses, we simper as we pretend that the stench of tyranny is a sweet smell, in the hope of favours.

History shows this seldom works well.