The situation has changed since the «golden era» of relations with China, says Cameron

Lord Cameron said “we face a more aggressive and assertive China.” Photo: Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

Lord Cameron said “Everything has changed” since he ushered in a “golden era” of relations between Britain and China during his time as Prime Minister.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the former prime minister noted China's growing «aggression». as one of the key security issues facing the UK.

Lord Cameron, who replaced James Cleverley as foreign secretary last month, has overcome the government's previous reluctance to publicly condemn the detention of Jimmy Lai.

In 2015, when he was prime minister, Lord Cameron arranged for Xi Jinping to visit Great Britain and said: “This visit marks the beginning of a new era. Some call this a golden era in relations between Britain and China.»

Asked last week whether he thought that era was over, Lord Cameron said: “I think things have changed. There is still a need to engage with China, especially on issues such as climate change: we cannot address climate change by ignoring a fifth of humanity.

«But it's very clear that we're facing a more aggressive and assertive China, and so the other elements are about politics — how we protect ourselves with better security from things like cyber attacks and the like, and how we align ourselves with our allies.» so that we are strong together. These are very important parts.»

Mr Lai, publisher of a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong, faces life imprisonment , if he is found guilty under the national security law imposed by China.

Speaking earlier this month, Lord Cameron said: «I am seriously concerned about anyone facing prosecution under the National Security Act and am particularly concerned about the politically motivated prosecution of British citizen Jimmy Lai.»

Mr Lai, a 76-year-old British citizen, is accused in Hong Kong of conspiring with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to publish inflammatory publications.

His son Sebastian , who met Lord Cameron shortly after he became foreign secretary, said he «left the meeting with the hope that Britain will soon add its voice to calls for my father's immediate and unconditional release.»

On Mr Lai's case, Lord Cameron said: «I came as Foreign Secretary, I looked into this matter and it seems right that we both highlight the fact that the national security law is contrary to the joint agreements that were put in place and release Jimmy Lai. That's what I said.»