Leading European diplomats in Beijing have stressed their commitment to human rights and appealed to China for mutual respect and understanding following a defiant speech from Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
References to human rights are "foundational matters” and not a geopolitical game, Caroline Wilson, the U.K.’s ambassador to China, said on a panel discussion on Sunday. China’s attitude is not only assertive, but turning aggressive, "much to our dismay,” Nicolas Chapuis, the European Union’s ambassador said on the same panel.
"Effective multilateralism implies that all nations, big and small, sit at the same table with the same rights, and most importantly, accept peer review in a tolerant and constructive manner,” Chapuis said.