BRITAIN has called on China to match the huge expansion of its economic ties in Africa with a more responsible foreign policy towards some of the continent’s most notorious regimes.

In a subtle dig at China’s relations with countries such as Sudan, Zimbabwe and Angola, Lord Triesman, the Foreign Office minister responsible for Africa, said that Beijing had to “go beyond words” in promoting democracy, the rule of law and social justice.

The West has grown increasingly concerned that China’s $40 billion (£22 billion) trade with African countries will undermine efforts by the international community to promote good government, uphold human rights and resolve conflicts.

Wen Jiabao, China’s Prime Minister, sought to allay those fears this month. During a seven-nation tour of the continent he called on “African countries to improve democracy and the rule of law”.

But the guiding principle of Beijing’s policy — to export raw materials from Africa to feed its economic expansion — was probably better explained by President Hu Jintao. During a visit to Kenya in April he reiterated that China follows “a policy of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs”.

Certainly Lord Triesman told the Institute for Public Policy Research this week, in the first speech by a British minister on the subject, that the Chinese needed to do much more. In particular, there is concern over China’s support for the regime in Sudan, which has been accused of orchestrating a “genocide” against African tribes in the eastern Darfur region.

Sudan is a big supplier of oil to China. In return, the Chinese supply arms to Khartoum which have been used against rebels and civilians in Darfur.

The Chinese have also slowed efforts at the United Nations Security Council to use sanctions against Khartoum and deploy a UN peacekeeping force in the area.

“It is important for all the members of the Security Council . . . to take tough measures as necessary to ensure the Government of Sudan meets its international commitments,” Lord Triesman said.

Zimbabwe is another point of contention. President Mugabe may be banned from visiting America and the European Union for the abuses of his regime, but last year he was invited to Beijing. In return for mineral rights, the Chinese have extended loans to Harare as well as arms.

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