Mubasher: China’s vice premier Hu Chunhua has reportedly cancelled trade talks with the UK’s finance minister.

The Chinese decision was taken after the UK’s defence secretary Gavin Williamson threatened to deploy a warship in the Pacific Ocean, according to Reuters.

Williamson stated that Western allies should be prepared to utilise what he called the “hard power” to back their interests in the Pacific.

The defence minister added that HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier, which will enter service next year, will be deployed to the Pacific, armed with F-35 jets from both Britain and the United States.