China’s human rights report ought to have struck it off Coronation listing

May 04, 2023 at 1:41 PM
China’s human rights report ought to have struck it off Coronation listing

’s Vice President Han Zheng is about to attend the Coronation ceremony of and at Westminster Abbey rather than President on Saturday, May 6.

But the choice has been met with criticism over China’s doubtful human rights report. Sir Iain Duncan-Smith has accused the Government of “turning a blind eye” to authoritarian regimes by permitting Mr Han – who was one of many politicians behind ’s crackdown on ’s pro-democracy protests in 2019 – to attend.

But Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated the UK couldn’t affect which consultant a rustic selected to ship, telling Times Radio: “We don’t invite individuals. What we do is we invite a representative or two representatives from each country with which we have a diplomatic relationship.

“And that includes , who China sends, indeed, which person any country sends as their representative at the Coronation is rightly a decision for that country.”

Now, a new Express.co.uk poll has proven 78 p.c of readers assume that the nation mustn’t have acquired an invite to the historic event in any respect.

READ MORE: IDS accuses UK of ‘turning blind eye’ to China after Coronation invite

The poll, which ran from 10am on Friday, April 28, to 4pm on Wednesday, May 3, requested readers: “Should be invited to ’s Coronation?”

Overall, 2,523 readers responded, with the overwhelming majority, 78 p.c (1,960 folks) answering “no” in opposition to being invited. Whereas 21 p.c (531 folks) stated “yes” they need to and one p.c (32 folks) stated they didn’t know both approach.

Dozens of feedback have been left beneath the accompanying article as readers discussed whether China should have received an invitation to the occasion.

Many readers argued that mustn’t have acquired been invited to ship a consultant, with username 3downnotout writing: “No, should never have even been considered.”

Another, username Michaelvan, stated: “The Coronation is mainly a Commonwealth and British celebration. We don’t need , and America. Their leaders won’t be missed.”

However, different readers thought that it was proper for to be invited. Username astianax stated: “ should be invited to the Coronation. No question asked about it!”

And username ValBrooker stated: “The King/Queen is the UK’s primary diplomat, so yes, every opportunity should be taken to improve relationships with the leaders of other countries.”