Rishi Sunak has said the “golden era” between the UK and China is over as he called for a new approach to the Chinese government.
The prime minister, speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at London’s Guildhall, criticised China’s human rights abuses but said the UK “cannot simply ignore China’s significance in world affairs”.
Mr Sunak was criticised during this summer’s leadership campaign for being soft on China but he used his speech on Monday to show he will not stand for its actions, saying things are not black and white when it comes to China.
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“We also need to evolve our approach to China,” he said, as he laid out his stance on foreign policy.
“Let’s be clear, the so-called ‘golden era’ is over, along with the naïve idea that trade would lead to social and political reform.
“But nor should we rely on simplistic Cold War rhetoric.
“We recognise China poses a systemic…
