UK-China discussions not 'comfortable chit chat over tea and biscuits': Cleverly

Dealing with China is not a "comfortable chit chat over tea and biscuits", the Foreign Secretary has said. James Cleverly insisted it was important to maintain dialogue with Xi Jinping's regime, as hawkish Conservatives urge him to take a harsher line with China over reported human rights abuses in Xinjiang province and Hong Kong. In response to this criticism, the Foreign Secretary told The Telegraph his meetings and discussions with Chinese ministers are far from cosy chats. Mr Cleverly told the newspaper: "In terms of defining diplomatic language, people need to really understand that engaging with China does not mean…