Shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy argued today that China ought to “play its part in making the world safer” if it aims to be a “global player”.

She also suggested Beijing must “stand up to Russian aggression”.

Her remarks came after a UK government minister said China must denounce Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine following claims Beijing could supply Putin’s regime with military aid.

Europe minister James Cleverly said the government had received no  vow from President Xi’s regime that his government would stay out of the conflict. 

Cleverly told Sky News’ Breakfast programme earlier today: “What we’re saying to all countries is that they should denounce this unprovoked, illegal attack into Ukraine by Russia,.”

“They should not in any way be supporting Russia. And we urge countries to join the UK and the international community in condemning and sanctioning Russia to choke off the finances that are funding Putin’s war effort.

“There is no justification at all for this attack and we urge China and all countries across the world to denounce it and absolutely not support it.”

“The United States believes that the key here is a careful process of dialogue and discussion with Europe about what China is revealing about its global policies and priorities,” a US official said yesterday. “Our goal basically is to carefully engage China, letting the Europeans know all along, but if it becomes clear that [China] is moving in another direction, so be it.”