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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
(35 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.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.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.
On Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, whose latest exhibition is at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, Mr Liu said "he is not my taste".
"There are so many talented Chinese artists but yet - there are many, much better than him - why is he so famous?
"Because he is critical of Chinese government," he told The Andrew Marr Show.
Mr Liu said the artist had "never been put behind bars" but had been under investigation for having been suspected of "destroying accounting documents".