Theresa May's China visit : Turning a blind eye to human rights violations

The British prime minister promised to confront China on human rights but was praised in state media for avoiding the issue

Mrs May refused to touch the issue of human rights during her recent visit to the People's Republic. Not surprisingly, she is returning home with lavish praise from the Chinese regime for avoiding the issue despite the “mudslinging” of western media.

She was probably borrowing a leaf from Emmanuel Macron, the French president, who, during his own visit, also failed to put pressure on the government of China on acccount of her human rights record.

State-backed Communist newspaper, the Global Times, praised the prime minister for refusing to “appease the British media” in order to secure warm relations. 

Downing Street could only say that when the prime minister met President Xi on Thursday they “reiterated the importance of and their commitment to ‘one country, two systems,” the principle which grants Hong Kong autonomy over its government and economy.

From all indications, China is not enthusiastic about being lectured over these things.  She has long been particularly sensitive about foreign leaders raising concerns over human rights.  It would be recalled that David Cameron endured a tense period in relations after he and Nick Clegg met the Dalai Lama in London in 2012, prompting Beijing to accuse them of “seriously interfering with Chinese affairs.”