China and the UK looked to forge a better working relationship on Wednesday as James Cleverly was received by Vice President Han Zheng on the first visit by a British cabinet minister to Beijing since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The British Foreign Secretary said it was vital to “avoid misunderstandings” in relations between the two countries as he met Mr Han in the Chinese capital.
“It is important that countries like ours meet and speak face to face on regular occasions to enhance understanding, to avoid misunderstanding and to address the challenges and differences of opinion that all countries have in bilateral relations,” he said.
His trip also included discussions with Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister.
Mr Wang, who took over as Chinese foreign minister again in the summer, set out some ground rules for the relationship as he hosted Mr Cleverly.
"I believe that as long as both sides adhere to mutual respect, equal treatment, view each other's development objectively, and enhance mutual understanding and trust, Sino-British relations will be able to eliminate all unnecessary interference and obstacles," Mr Wang said during the meeting's opening remarks in front of reporters.
Mr Cleverly, Mr Wang and Mr Han “agreed on the importance of direct cooperation between the UK and China on the biggest global challenges, such as climate change,” the UK’s Foreign Office said following the meetings.
Mr Cleverly “made clear the UK position on key geopolitical issues including the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in North Korea and nuclear non-proliferation”.
They also agreed on “the potential of AI to unlock huge opportunities but stressed the need for global coordination to mitigate risks and put protections in place”.
Mr Cleverly, the most senior British minister to visit China in five years, also spoke of the need to “take advantage of our shared endeavours” to address the world's issues.
“We are clear-eyed about the areas where we have fundamental disagreements with China and we raise those issues when we meet,” he said.
UK Foreign Secretary
The Foreign Secretary defended his decision to travel to Beijing in the face of criticism, saying it was “more important than ever that we engage with China”.
In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Cleverly acknowledged that China presented “a challenge to our values and some of our principles”.
Speaking from Beijing, he stressed the importance of holding meetings with members of the Chinese communist government, saying they present an opportunity for dialogue in crucial areas.
“I, of course, will bring up the areas where we disagree and disagree strongly, on human rights, on Hong Kong,” he said.
He repeated his stance that “the only way to influence China is to engage with China”.
Mr Cleverly listed climate change, disease prevention and response, and the Ukraine war as some areas in which discussions with Beijing are crucial.
Senior Tory MP and Foreign Affairs Select Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns told Sky News she had spoken with Mr Cleverly on the plane as he made his way to China.
She said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak should “absolutely” meet President Xi Jinping if the opportunity arises because that is “how you prevent and deconflict potential issues”.
Mr Cleverly said he had raised human rights concerns at “every single one” of his meetings with top Chinese officials.
The Foreign Office in London previously said his talking points would include China's clampdown on freedoms in the former British colony of Hong Kong, as well as its alleged rights abuses in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions.
“I've had a number of conversations with senior representatives of the Chinese government and I have raised human rights in every single one of those meetings,” Mr Cleverly said.
“This is an issue that is discussed extensively not just bilaterally, but at the United Nations.
“I think the Chinese government understand the UK is consistent in our approach … and I will keep raising these issues with [them].”
Mr Cleverly said he had used his meetings with Chinese officials to urge them to help bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, highlighting their past commitments to uphold Ukrainian territorial integrity.
Mr Sunak's official spokesman told reporters that artificial intelligence was not expected to be among the topics discussed by Mr Cleverly and Chinese officials.
He declined to say whether the government intends to invite China to the first global AI summit in the UK in November, saying the guest list has yet to be finalised.
Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
- Brentford v Arsenal
- Burnley v Brighton
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Everton v Southampton
- Leicester City v Wolves
- Manchester United v Leeds United
- Newcastle United v West Ham United
- Norwich City v Liverpool
- Tottenham v Manchester City
- Watford v Aston Villa
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
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War on waste
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The five pillars of Islam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
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Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
