Guido revealed Starmer’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell had popped up in Beijing last Friday in an unannounced meeting which had not been signalled to the media by the UK Government. Where he was busily preparing Starmer’s trip to China next year…
The Chinese government scheduled Powell’s meetings (including with Foreign Minister Wang Yi) in the Great Hall of the People’s Xinjiang Room, a huge meeting room themed with paintings and architecture from the vast eponymous region. Yes, that’s the same Xinjiang associated with widespread allegations of human rights abuses against the Muslim minority Uyghurs and others…
Guido hears Powell enjoyed a flying visit of fewer than ten hours on the ground. He was also meant to go to Japan, but that stint was cancelled…
Powell would have been forced to deliver the usual UK talking points about human rights while sitting in a room depicting the very region which is supposedly first on the list of British concerns. One diplomatic wag told Guido: “it’s a special form of message from the Chinese that they considered Powell totally under their thumb”. Co-conspirators were warned…
A series of China news would have been discussed and announcements pre-warned including:
- Preparation for Starmer’s visit.
- The super-embassy announcement.
- A parliamentary report on China Espionage.
- The PM’s Lady Mayor speech given just last night.
A government source tells Guido: “The Chinese do not like being surprised.” Send Powell to fill them in on all upcoming fake comms…
