China accused of ‘bullying’ Britain

CHINA’S decision to cancel a meeting with Chancellor Philip Hammond is simple “bullying”, a senior MP has said, writes Marco Giannangeli.

Next week’s summit was axed after Beijing took offence at a plan by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, below, to send Britain’s new supercarrier to the Pacific in 2020.

Royal Navy sources said the aircraft carrier may head a multinational Freedom of Navigation task force that will cross the South China Sea, where Beijing lays claim to territory owned by six nations.

China’s stranglehold over the major trade route threatens £92billion – 12 per cent – of UK trade.

Tom Tugendhat MP, foreign affairs select committee chairman, said: “China often cancels political engagements but rarely economic ones. Beijing is playing to its domestic gallery. It’s a form of bullying.

He added: “When David Cameron visited the Dalai Lama in 2012 he was shunned for a year, but his tenure marked a golden era for trade.

“China is an autocracy with interests very different to ours so we must tread a fine line...balancing trade and security.” Theresa May has said cooperating with China is key to economic growth.