Lord Chris Patten, the final British governor of Hong Kong, has issued a direct appeal to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ahead of his diplomatic mission to Beijing this week. Patten has urged the Prime Minister not to shy away from offending Chinese officials and to make the case of Jimmy Lai a central priority during discussions.
A Call for Directness in UK-China Relations
In a striking intervention, Lord Patten described the current British approach to China as being founded upon a "complete falsehood." He argued that the widespread belief that criticism of China's actions would damage crucial trade and business relationships is fundamentally mistaken. Instead, Patten advised Sir Keir to be unequivocal and to "say exactly what he thinks" when engaging with Chinese leadership.
The Imperative of Raising Jimmy Lai's Plight
Patten emphasised that the Prime Minister must raise the detention of Jimmy Lai as "one of the first things" on the agenda in Beijing. Jimmy Lai is a British national and a prominent pro-democracy campaigner who has been imprisoned in Hong Kong. His case has become a significant point of international concern regarding human rights and legal freedoms in the territory.
The former governor warned Sir Keir Starmer against "cosying up" to the Chinese government during the visit, which is primarily aimed at improving trade relations and accompanied by a delegation of British business leaders. Patten cautioned the Prime Minister to "recognise the realities" of China's foreign policy, stating that the nation has a history of breaking international agreements when it is politically convenient to do so.
Balancing Trade and Principle
Sir Keir Starmer's trip to China places him in a delicate position, as he seeks to bolster economic ties while facing mounting pressure to address serious geopolitical issues. These include allegations of espionage and ongoing human rights concerns, with the Jimmy Lai case serving as a prominent example. Patten's comments underscore the challenging balance between pursuing commercial interests and upholding democratic values and the rule of law for British citizens abroad.
By framing a failure to address Lai's imprisonment as "pathetic," Lord Patten has significantly raised the political stakes for the Prime Minister's diplomatic engagement. This sets a clear expectation that the UK's foreign policy must not sideline fundamental principles for the sake of economic diplomacy.
