China has condemned as 'despicable and cowardly' a decision by UK parliamentary authorities to prevent its ambassador from addressing MPs and peers, warning that the move will harm British interests.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lords Speaker Lord McFall jointly blocked China's new ambassador, Zheng Zeguang, from attending a reception on the parliamentary estate on Wednesday. The event, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary China Group, was intended to introduce the diplomat to lawmakers.
Sir Lindsay said it would not be 'appropriate' for Mr Zeguang to attend while Beijing maintains sanctions against seven British politicians. 'If those sanctions were lifted, then of course this would not be an issue,' he added.
The Chinese embassy in London responded sharply, stating: 'The despicable and cowardly action of certain individuals of the UK Parliament to obstruct normal exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK for personal political gains is against the wishes and harmful to the interests of the peoples of both countries.'
The sanctions in question were imposed by Beijing in March on five MPs and two others critical of China, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Tom Tugendhat, over allegations of spreading 'lies and disinformation' about human rights abuses in Xinjiang. This was seen as retaliation for UK and EU sanctions on Chinese officials.
Sir Iain and other sanctioned colleagues welcomed the ban, calling it 'a strong principled stand'. However, Tory MP Richard Graham, head of the All-Party Parliamentary China Group, expressed regret, saying engagement was crucial. 'The best way to discuss issues is to engage,' he said, adding that new arrangements would be made.
