Osborne praised for 'not stressing human rights' in China

UK Chancellor George Osborne has been praised by Chinese state media for focusing on business ahead of human rights during his visit to Xinjiang.

The Global Times said he was "the first Western official in recent years who focused on business potential rather than raising a magnifying glass to the 'human rights issue'".

Mr Osborne has spent the past five days in China to boost trade links.


In an editorial (in Chinese), the Global Times praised Mr Osborne's "pragmatism regarding his China policy", adding that "it should be diplomatic etiquette for foreign leaders not to confront China by raising the human rights issue".

"Keeping a modest manner is the correct attitude for a foreign minister visiting China to seek business opportunities. Some Westerners believe their officials should behave like a master of human rights to show their superiority over China and the East."

Mr Osborne this week became the first UK minister to visit Xinjiang, a restive province in China's far west .
Campaigners had urged him to raise concerns about the treatment of the province's Muslim Uighur minority. Amnesty International said Uighurs had been subjected to "heavy-handed" security measures since an outbreak of unrest in 2009.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-34356097

Talk about damned with faint praise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Bloody disgusting.

What a plank. I always wondered what was behind this deal. Now I know.

UK and China agree £45m pig semen export deal

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/04/pig-semen-export-deal-china

Friggin hell, nearly choked reading that, not a good metaphor in the circumstances!

Irn Bru wrote:What a plank. I always wondered what was behind this deal. Now I know.

UK and China agree £45m pig semen export deal

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/04/pig-semen-export-deal-china