Rishi Sunak heading for showdown with Tory MPs over major speech on closer ties with China

A MAJOR government speech on China risks fresh fury from Tory MPs.

Rishi Sunak is heading for a showdown with Tory MPs over a major speech on China that will argue Britain must cosy up to the Communist regime.

The PM insisted on a new clampdown when trying to win the Tory leadership last year, but he has since softened his stance and refused to say China is a "threat".

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is preparing a new intervention dubbed 'the great clarification' in a bid to explain Britain's changing relationship with the rogue state.

Government sources stressed he wants to make clear there were some 'no-go areas' where China is actively working against British interests and trying to meddle in our affairs.

But he will also argue that Britain should continue to keep open lines of communication and not be afraid to engage with them when it could help us, and we shouldn't just cut all ties.

One source said: "China isn't just one big entity, it has many different elements to it.

"Staying silent isn't a signal of strength." Mr Sunak's stance risks a fresh row with hardline backbenchers who say Britain needs to crack down harder on the state.

It comes amid fury as Erkin Tuniyaz, the head of the Xinjiang region in China, is expected to visit the UK this week - and could meet with foreign office officials.

Top Tories raged after the news he will come despite presiding over genocide and human rights abuses against the Muslim population in China.

Foreign Office sources insisted he would get a proper dressing down from officials if he did set foot on British soil, and "will not be welcomed with tea and crumpets".

The PM's spokesperson said yesterday: "China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests.

"That is a challenge that grows more acute as it moves to even greater authoritarianism."