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Exclusive | Boris Johnson’s father Stanley hopes UK parliament removes ban on Chinese ambassador
- Comments precede controversial trip to China including Xinjiang, where the prime minister’s father seeks to retrace Marco Polo’s steps
- Johnson senior’s statements ‘a massive propaganda boost’ for Beijing and an ‘embarrassment’ for his son’s government, MPs say
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Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
The father of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hoped that his country would overturn a ban on China’s top envoy to London visiting the parliament in Westminster, imposed last year in response to Beijing’s sanctions against UK lawmakers.
Stanley Johnson made the remarks during an interview with the Post on Tuesday, when he discussed a filming trip to China that would include his Hong Kong-based son, Max. The two aim to see the western region of Xinjiang, with the support of Beijing.
Johnson praised ambassador Zheng Zeguang for his “enthusiasm” for the project, and said he believed that the project might help improve Sino-British relations.
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“If there is a ban, as you say there is, I would imagine parliament is breaking up for the summer pretty soon. But I would very much hope that by the time parliament returns, these bans will no longer be in place,” said Johnson.
The ban was introduced last September by speakers of the Houses of Commons and Lords, hours before Zheng was due to attend a reception.
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