China warns that visa restrictions are 'eroding UK's strength'

Mr Cameron last year announced that visa applications for Chinese visitors entering the UK would be simplified.

Chinese nationals visiting the EU will not need to submit separate UK visa applications if they book with selected travel agents.

Ministers have also put in place a same day visa service for business visitors to the UK.

However, Mr Xiaoming said that the progress on making it easier for Chinese people to visit Britain has been “far from enough”.

He said: “We would like to see liberalisation of restrictions on visas on Chinese b business people and Chinese tourists.

“I think there is many opportunities and much potential for cooperation with business, and with tourists. They’re not only coming here to enjoy sight-seeing, many of them are very good shoppers. I can see them anywhere and everywhere – Harrods, Oxford Street, you name it.”

Mr Liu said that prominent Chinese businessmen are still being rejected when they apply for visas to come to the UK.

He said that many were rejected and unable to attend a recent business leaders’ summit but that he did not know the “real reason” their visa applications were turned down.

He added: “And also I receive complaints from businesses based here. They have difficulties to rotate their senior executives because of visa restrictions. That made their operations more difficult than they are in other European countries.

“So I think visa issues really erode British strength in terms of attracting more foreign businesses, attracting talented people. So I do wish more progress will be made on this issue.”

The ambassador also said that China wants Heathrow expand its capacity so that Chinese airlines can introduce more flights to Britain.

Mr Liu said that he has written to Cabinet ministers calling for another runway at the London airport.

“We were told the maximum has already been reached at Heathrow airport– [it has] already reached the ceiling," he said. "There’s no space at all. So we do expect and maybe even pray that Heathrow airport will have a third runway in the future. I do not know when, so I ask my Chinese friends to watch and wait and wish with patience.

The UK's relations with China have been strained in recent years following a rift over Britain's stance towards Tibet and the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.

Mr Liu appeared to suggest that recent events have damaged Britain’s relationship with China.

“Before I came here, we used to say when we talk about Europe [it was] Britain, France and Germany.

“But unfortunately many opportunities were missed in the past year or so and we all know the reason behind it so people now start talking about Germany, France and Britain.”

He said that he wants to work with Britain to “set this order to its original setting”. However, he added: “But I would say that all three countries are very important to China.”

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