Chinese ambassador issues veiled warning to Britain against engaging in ‘gunboat diplomacy’
- Article by Liu Xiaoming in The Daily Telegraph says countries should not use freedom of navigation as excuse to flex their military muscle
- Commentary comes after British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson said last month that navy would send aircraft carrier to the Pacific to challenge China
An article written by China’s ambassador to Britain about Western nations’ use of “gunboat diplomacy” should serve as a warning to London regarding its diplomatic strategy towards Beijing as it prepares to leave the European Union, analysts said.
“Asserting their nation’s right to freedom of navigation has long been an excuse for certain Western politicians to flex their military muscle by sending naval vessels to the South China Sea,” Liu said in the article, without naming any specific countries.
“These moves flagrantly infringe upon China’s sovereignty and maritime rights, deliberately drive a wedge between China and its neighbours, and exacerbate regional tensions,” he said.
“If these acts of gunboat diplomacy, motivated by a cold war mentality, are not deliberate attempts to stir up trouble then I don’t know what is. The world must say no to these hegemonic actions,” he said, adding that some countries had deliberately sent warships close to or even into Chinese territorial waters.