![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/James-Cleverly-and-Chinese-foreign-minister-Wang-Yi-shake-hands-before-a-meeting-4934559.jpg?r=1693404750550\")
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Britain is \u201cseeing increased espionage on its shores\u201d from Chinese actors, a leading politician has warned, as foreign secretary James Cleverly embarks on a visit to Beijing.<\/p>\n
Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns MP said this morning she had spoken to Mr Cleverly ahead of his visit to urge him to strongly express the British position against negative Chinese influence in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
Her comments come as senior Conservative politicians, who want a tougher line against a state which has sanctioned several British MPs and peers for speaking out about human rights violations, criticised the foreign secretary for his visit.<\/p>\n
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith compared the Government\u2019s approach to the appeasement of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.<\/p>\n
But Mr Cleverly has defended his decision to meet with the Chinese vice president Han Zheng, who played a leading role in the anti-democracy crackdown in Hong Kong, as necessary to \u201cto enhance understanding\u201d and \u201cto avoid misunderstanding\u201d.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> ‘China cannot be allowed to dominate Britain and force us to rely on them'[OPINION] <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very hopeful that [Mr Cleverly] will land those points about transnational repression,\u201d Ms Kearns said this morning.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all know we are seeing increased espionage on British shores and we are also seeing appalling human rights abuses against the Uighur, the Tibetans and many more.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is absolutely important that Britain has a role in the Pacific where we make clear that we will stand up for the rule of law, for human rights and for self-determination.\u201d<\/p>\n The senior Tory added that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should \u201cabsolutely\u201d meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping if the opportunity arises because that is \u201chow you prevent and deconflict potential issues\u201d.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> She said Mr Cleverly\u2019s visit is \u201can opportunity to bring to an end two decades of failed deterrence\u201d and \u201cto make clear defence is not an escalation, and we won\u2019t tolerate transnational intimidation\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the visit needs to achieve outcomes in Britain\u2019s interests \u2013 we await them,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Her committee has published a report which recognises \u201cthe activities of the Chinese Communist Party as a threat to the UK and its interests\u201d and that \u201cthe behaviour of the Chinese Communist Party is currently characterised by increased aggression towards the UK\u201d.<\/p>\n The cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee called on the Government to publish an unclassified version of its China strategy to ensure cross-Whitehall coherence on the approach to Beijing, and for all relevant ministers to be briefed on the classified version of the document.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n \u201cIt should now announce a clear policy of zero tolerance of transnational repression and be prepared to expel any foreign diplomats who engage in intimidation of, or physical attacks on, British citizens or those who seek refuge on UK shores,\u201d the committee said.<\/p>\n The MPs also called for the Government to intensify efforts to discourage the use of Chinese technologies such as surveillance cameras \u201cwhich are capable of being used for remote data harvesting\u201d by Beijing\u2019s security services.<\/p>\n The report also said the Government has failed to take \u201cadequate action\u201d to protect against the risk of Beijing using \u201ceconomic coercion\u201d by targeting strategically critical industries which rely on Chinese technology or investment.<\/p>\n On the disputed island of Taiwan, the committee said the UK should put in place \u201can effective policy of deterrence diplomacy\u201d towards Beijing to protect the Taiwanese right to self-determination.<\/p>\n Despite the criticism, Mr Cleverly said that the UK was \u201cclear-eyed\u201d that China would not change \u201covernight\u201d as he met senior officials in Beijing.<\/p>\n He also insisted the visit would allow him to have \u201ctough conversations\u201d with the Chinese on issues including repression in Hong Kong, and human rights abuses in Xinjiang province.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an important country, it\u2019s a large and influential country, and a complicated country. And therefore our relationship with China will necessarily be just as complicated and sophisticated,\u201d the Mr Cleverly told broadcasters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are clear-eyed about the areas where we have fundamental disagreements with China. And I raise those issues when we meet. But I think it\u2019s important, we also recognise that we have to have a pragmatic, sensible working relationship with China, because of the issues that affects us all around the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Rishi-Sunak-has-refused-to-answer-whether-he-will-meet-with-Xi-Jinping-at-the-G20-next-week-4934561.jpg?r=1693404750609\")
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Britain ‘looks like soft underbelly’ as Cleverly warned not to ‘appease China'[INSIGHT ] <\/strong>
Chinese calls for the return of British Museum artefacts go viral[REPORT] <\/strong>
China sparks major war fears as aircraft and vessels sent near Taiwan[REVEAL] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/James-Cleverly-left-and-Chinese-Vice-President-Han-Zheng-in-Beijing-4934562.jpg?r=1693404750670\")
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