UK urged to shun China trade talks

BRITAIN must impose new sanctions and shun trade talks with the “abusive” Chinese government after pro-democracy figures were detained in Hong Kong, ministers have been told.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said it was “unacceptable” for the Hong Kong authorities to “target” Cardinal Joseph Zen, singer Denise Ho, lawyer Margaret Ng and scholar Hui Po-keung under its national security law.

MPs heard three of those arrested were linked to the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which provided legal aid to pro-democracy protesters but has since closed.

Conservative former cabinet minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith described the arrests as a “huge abuse of human rights” and urged the UK to respond with new measures.

He warned the UK “lags behind others” in sanctioning individuals and listed several people, including Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee and his predecessor Carrie Lam, already sanctioned by the United States.

Sir Iain told MPs: “Not one of these has been sanctioned by the UK Government, it’s time to step up and make it very clear.”

He added: “I want from the Government an absolute undertaking that they will sanction those individuals and there’s no way on earth we’re going to entertain any discussions in opening up trade discussions or financial discussions with this abusive government.”

Mr Cleverly, in his reply, said: “(Sir Iain) speaks with huge authority on this issue and he knows when he speaks on any issue, but particularly on this issue, I personally take notice and Her Majesty’s Government always takes notice.”

He said the UK works closely with its international partners on sanctions, adding: “We never discuss publicly the future sanctions designations that might be brought.”