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| China state visit: President 'won't shy' from human rights record | China state visit: President 'won't shy' from human rights record |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| China's ambassador to the UK says his country does not "shy away" from discussing human rights - but doubts Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will raise the issue at next week's state banquet. | |
| Liu Xiaoming said President Xi Jinping's state visit would focus on "partnership" and "co-operation" between the two countries. | Liu Xiaoming said President Xi Jinping's state visit would focus on "partnership" and "co-operation" between the two countries. |
| The state visit, the first from China since 2005, begins on Tuesday. | The state visit, the first from China since 2005, begins on Tuesday. |
| Mr Corbyn's spokesman has said he will use the visit to discuss human rights. | Mr Corbyn's spokesman has said he will use the visit to discuss human rights. |
| He is due to have a private meeting with the Chinese president, and has not ruled out using a state banquet at Buckingham Palace to make his case. | |
| But Mr Liu told The Andrew Marr Show: "I don't think the Labour Party will raise this issue at a state banquet...I don't think so." | But Mr Liu told The Andrew Marr Show: "I don't think the Labour Party will raise this issue at a state banquet...I don't think so." |
| The president, he said, will be "here for co-operation, for partnership, he's not here for debate about human rights". | The president, he said, will be "here for co-operation, for partnership, he's not here for debate about human rights". |
| Mr Liu said it was "natural" there were differences between China and the UK, suggesting Chinese people care more about jobs and housing. | Mr Liu said it was "natural" there were differences between China and the UK, suggesting Chinese people care more about jobs and housing. |
| "We do not shy away from discussions about human rights," he said, adding that he had a "good meeting" with Mr Corbyn last week and that China was "not interested in microphone diplomacy". | "We do not shy away from discussions about human rights," he said, adding that he had a "good meeting" with Mr Corbyn last week and that China was "not interested in microphone diplomacy". |
| "First of all, I think the state banquet is for Her Majesty, it is her show, either Jeremy Corbyn or others are her guest," he said. | "First of all, I think the state banquet is for Her Majesty, it is her show, either Jeremy Corbyn or others are her guest," he said. |
| President Xi is also expected to address Parliament and hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. | President Xi is also expected to address Parliament and hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. |
| Mr Liu also played down the significance of the absence of the Prince of Wales from the banquet in Buckingham Palace, saying the prince would be present on "separate occasions". | Mr Liu also played down the significance of the absence of the Prince of Wales from the banquet in Buckingham Palace, saying the prince would be present on "separate occasions". |
| After reports the prince was "staying away" from the event, royal officials said he would have "significant involvement" in the state visit, including meeting President Xi and his wife and a formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade. | After reports the prince was "staying away" from the event, royal officials said he would have "significant involvement" in the state visit, including meeting President Xi and his wife and a formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade. |