Morning:
8°c
Downing Street facing more pro-Tibet demos
Paul Waugh and Rebecca Lowe2 Feb 2009
DOWNING Street was braced for more human rights protests today as Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and Gordon Brown sought a united front on tackling the global recession.
On the second day of his visit to the UK, the Chinese leader offered support to Mr Brown by hinting that new measures to boost the economy beyond the £400 billion economic stimulus package already unveiled. Premier Wen has already given Mr Brown backing for his call for further regulation of international finance, blaming "greedy" bank bosses for the credit crisis.
The leaders were holding talks in Downing Street before holding a business summit at the Institute of Directors. Mr Brown greeted Mr Wen yesterday at Chequers as "my friend". Tory leader David Cameron held separate talks with the Chinese leader yesterday, but raised the issue of Tibet.
Pro-Tibetan protesters clashed with police during demonstrations yesterday against Mr Wen's visit.
Five men were arrested outside the Chinese Embassy as they tried to scale security barriers. The scenes overshadowed the West End's New Year celebrations, which saw more than 250,000 revellers flock to Chinatown, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square to see in the Year of the Ox. About 150 demonstrators chanted Free Tibet slogans outside the Embassy in Portland Place, surrounding Mr Wen's motorcade and waving posters proclaiming: "Wen Jiabao: Tibetan blood on your hands".
Protesters braved sub-zero temperatures to move to the Natural History Museum in Kensington, where Mr Wen later spoke at a dinner.
Reader views (3)
Iona, are you sure you disagree with me? 'Shoe-throwing is a different matter,' you say. I do not object to people sticking to their principles or expressing dissent with politesse - but if you object to Chinese policies to such an extent that you abuse their digntiaries, then just don't take their money.
- Cass, London, 02/02/2009 18:30
Report abuse
Cass it would seem that you are in favour of dealing with the Chinese in whatever way ensures good economic relations, never mind the human cost. I know the credit crunch is pretty bad, but should we really lose sight of our humanity?! The UK government is in a strategic position to be able to speak of both human rights and money to the Chinese government - it just needs reminding of that sometimes. Thus it is utterly right that people in Britain who feel concerned about this, including the Tibetan community themselves, raise their voices and point out the uncomfortable truths to those who can and should make change. Shoe-throwing is a different matter, but don't let that one act cloud your judgment on a very serious issue, lest you throw freedom out with the footwear.
- Iona, London, 02/02/2009 17:41
Report abuse
And now some protester has thrown a shoe at the Chinese premier in Cambridge. Really, you wouldn't blame the Chinese for telling us to look elsewhere for help with our money problems. Are these kinds of scenes - protesters behaving like yapping puppies- really freedom of speech, or are they a form of anarchy?
- Cass, London, 02/02/2009 17:07
Report abuse
