Philip Hammond’s plans for a trade mission to Beijing have been thrown into doubt by a “gunboat diplomacy” row sparked by Gavin Williamson’s assertion that he would send a new aircraft carrier into China’s backyard.
China’s ambassador to London complained to the Foreign Office about the defence secretary’s remarks, with government insiders confirming that the “idiotic speech” had complicated the trip, scheduled for the next few days.
George Osborne, the former chancellor, said the row encapsulated Britain’s confused approach to China, with Theresa May’s government unable to decide whether Beijing was an economic partner or a strategic threat.
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