A British MP has accused China of employing “bully-boy tactics” after reports that the country would pull its athletes out of an Olympic camp in the city of Leeds, following a visit there by the Dalai Lama.
Chinese officials allegedly called for the cancellation of business convention due to take place on Friday, after it was revealed that the Tibetan leader would be addressing the event.
Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds, stated,
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin stated,
Chinese officials allegedly called for the cancellation of business convention due to take place on Friday, after it was revealed that the Tibetan leader would be addressing the event.
Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds, stated,
"I find it distasteful, to say the least, that two representatives of a country whose human rights record is appalling, where freedom of speech is not allowed and where there is no real democracy, come to the city of Leeds and tell our elected officials … that they can't do what they think is best for the city under pain of economic sanction."The tension follows reports that two senior British Ministers were snubbed on recent trips to China, allegedly due to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to meet with the Dalai Lama in May. Both the Trade and Investment minister Lord Green, and Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne, saw their meetings with Chinese ministers either cancelled or handed off to junior officials.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin stated,
"We hope the British side stop making mistakes again and again, which undermine China's interests"
"China-UK relations have been affected by the recent meeting between the British leader and the Dalai Lama. The responsibility lies with the British side.Meanwhile a Foreign Office spokesman responded,
"This is disappointing as we believe that it damages both Chinese and British interests. We strongly believe it is in the interests of both countries to manage our differences sensibly and co-operate as much as possible"