Profits Before Principles

Governments like to make make statements about democracy and human rights, but when it comes to profits such high-sounding sentiments mean little or nothing. 'Human rights should not "get in the way" of expanding trade ties with China, a minister said yesterday. ....... Michael Fallon, the Tory business manager, said that concerns about human rights should not obstruct efforts to increase British exports. "These things get raised but we should not allow them to get in the way of a very important trade relationship," he said.' (Times, 17 June) The suppression of democracy or any sort of political dissent carries harsh penalties in China but that means nothing to the British government if there is a lucrative trade deal in the offing. RD