UK ‘clinging to the past’: China

China yesterday slammed a speech by Britain's foreign secretary that warned Beijing against any attack on Taiwan and raised human rights concerns, accusing London of "clinging to the past".

Asked about the set-piece foreign policy address delivered by James Cleverly on Tuesday, China's foreign ministry said Britain was "holding outdated scripts and reciting old lines".

Spokesperson Mao Ning said London should "stop making groundless accusations against China and interfering in China's internal affairs, and do more to contribute to the development of China-UK relations, as well as to world peace and stability".

"Eventually, it can only get further and further away from the progress of the times," she added.

"China urges the British side to be careful in words and deeds."