Top UK diplomat arrives in China, to demand Beijing stop 'political, economic support' of Russia

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The British foreign secretary on Friday arrived in China to demand Beijing stop its "political and economic support" of Russia, the UK Foreign Office said in a statement.

David Lammy is in China as the government is taking "a consistent, strategic and pragmatic approach to China which prioritises the UK national interest," according to the statement.

Lammy has begun his two-day trip in China which will include meetings in Beijing and Shanghai.

During his meetings, Lammy will urge China to stop its "political and economic support of the Russian war effort," read the statement.

He will meet with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Friday to discuss a variety of issues, from climate and trade to global foreign policy challenges, including Russia’s war on Ukraine.

"As permanent members of the UN Security Council with major global economies, the UK and China are global players. Our relationship matters," Lammy said in the statement.

Mentioning that "engagement with China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK and global interests," the foreign secretary noted that from stopping Russia's war to supporting a global green transition, both countries must speak often and candidly across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation in the UK’s national interest.