independent.co.uk
In latest developments regarding global trade and commerce, Chancellor George Osborne has set out an aim of making China the UK’s second largest trading partner by 2025, as he makes a controversial visit to a remote Chinese region.
Mr Osborne stated Britain must “raise its game” to increase exports to China from £25bn (246bn yuan) to £30bn annually. He is the first UK minister to visit Xinjiang province, in north-west China. Campaigners have already 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. Xinjiang is almost the size of Western Europe and five hours’ flight from Beijing.
The area is important because it lies on the “new Silk Road” linking China to Europe by rail and road. UK exports to China have increased fivefold since 2003, raising China from ninth to sixth place in the list of the biggest markets for UK goods and services. The US is the biggest market.
Mr Osborne has launched a report by the China-Britain Business Council and the Foreign Office to help UK businesses grow the market further.
Amnesty UK director Kate Allen urged Mr Osborne to press the Chinese government to end “the widespread discrimination Uighurs face, including in employment, education, housing and the severe restrictions on religious freedom”.
The chancellor said he had raised human rights issues privately with his Chinese hosts during his five-day visit.
He further added: “Of course we’re two completely different political systems and we raise human rights issues, but I don’t think that is inconsistent with also wanting to do more business with one-fifth of the world’s population.”
Source: BBC
Tags: China UK
