We do not shy away from discussing human rights, China’s UK envoy says ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit

China’s ambassador to the UK insisted on Sunday that his country does not shy away from discussing human rights, on the eve of a state visit by President Xi Jinping.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has promised to raise human rights issues this week, probably at a state banquet organised by the Queen. He has also been afforded a meeting with the Chinese leader at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening before the banquet.

But speaking on the BBC on Sunday, Liu Xiaoming said he doubted the Labour leader would bring up the issue of human rights, claiming the visit would focus on partnership and cooperation between the two countries.

“I don’t think the Labour party will raise this issue at a state banquet ... I don’t think so,” he said. Liu added the president would be “here for cooperation, for partnership, he’s not here for a debate about human rights”.

The ambassador said it was natural there were differences between China and the UK, suggesting Chinese people care more about jobs and housing. “We do not shy away from discussions about human rights,” he said, adding that he had a “good meeting” with Corbyn last week and that China was “not interested in microphone diplomacy”.

“First of all, I think the state banquet is for Her Majesty, it is her show, either Jeremy Corbyn or others are her guests,” he said.

The state visit, the first from China since 2005, begins on Tuesday and Amnesty International has promised demonstrations in London in protest at China’s human rights record.