all the time the government is subject to the rule of law.
these are constraints on the government, and at times they can be frustrating when the courts take a view with which the government differs
but ultimately we believe that they make our government better and our country stronger.
through the media, the public get to hear directly from people who hold different views from the government.
that can be difficult at times, too.
but we believe that the better informed the british public is about the issues affecting our society
the easier it is, ultimately, for the british government to come to sensible decisions and to develop robust policies that command the confidence of our people.
i make these observations not because i believe that we have some moral superiority.
our own society is not perfect.
there is still injustice which we must work hard to tackle.
we are far from immune from poverty and the ills that afflict every nation on earth.
but in arguing for a strong relationship between our countries, i want a relationship in which we can be open with each other, in which we can have constructive dialogue of give and take in a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect.
the rise in economic freedom in china in recent years has been hugely beneficial to china and to the world.
i hope that in time this will lead to a greater political opening
because i am convinced that the best guarantor of prosperity and stability is for economic and political progress to go in step together.
in some respects it already has.
ordinary chinese people today have more freedom over where they live
what job they do
and where they travel
than ever before.
people blog and text more.
it’s right to recognise this progress.
but it’s right also that britain should be open wit