David Cameron greets Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (pic: Reuters)
DAVID Cameron yesterday described a £1.4billion trade deal with China as a "huge opportunity" for the UK.
The agreement, which comes despite China's appalling human rights record, will see firms get greater access to Chinese markets in architecture, civil engineering and education.
Speaking at a Downing Street conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the PM also described Britain as "the natural home for Chinese investment into Europe".
However, the session went from sweet to sour as Premier Wen was grilled about his government's suppression of political dissent and free speech.
Reacting angrily, he said: "I am confident tomorrow's China will enjoy not only economic prosperity but improved democracy and legal systems.
"On human rights, China and the UK should respect each other, engage in more co-operation than finger-pointing."
Mr Cameron insisted human rights issues were not "off limits" and he would continue to raise them. He said: "We have different histories, different stages of development. We should show each other respect. But we're clear that political and economic development should go hand in hand."
The deal, which lifts a Chinese export ban on chicken in place since a 2007 bird flu outbreak, also paves the way for more British pig and pig meat sales.
Meanwhile, the PM made it clear that projects such as the high-speed rail link between London and the North would benefit from Chinese investment.
Article Source KBG Test Blog (http://rc.kbg.me)
