A Shaolin monk, a symbol of China’s ancient martial arts tradition, has been jailed in Beijing. The UK government, ever eager to lecture Beijing on the ‘rule of law,’ has pounced. But this is not about justice.
It is about leverage. Whitehall sources tell me the Foreign Office is preparing a formal statement, a carefully calibrated rebuke designed to embarrass China on the world stage. The monk, a prominent abbot, was convicted on embezzlement charges.
Supporters call it a sham. A purge of the temple’s commercial empire, they whisper. The UK’s intervention is a calculated play.
With trade talks stalling and Hong Kong tensions simmering, this is a chance to score moral points. But No.10 knows the risks.
Beijing’s response will be swift. A diplomatic note. A state media tirade.
Perhaps a tit-for-tat on a British citizen held in China. The monk’s fate is now a bargaining chip. The real fight is in the shadows, where diplomats and spooks trade blows.
The UK’s rule of law pitch is a fragile sword. One false move, and it breaks.
