'If the economy collapses, the regime collapses' - Chen Guangcheng

Britain should consider imposing visa restrictions on Chinese officials to put pressure on the state to improve its human rights record, Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng has told this programme.

“There's only so much that the Chinese people can take,” Mr Guangcheng said.

Asked about the treatment of his family following his departure, he said that their circumstances have been getting better, following initial persecution.

“When I first left they were being harassed and my nephew was imprisoned.”

Mr Guangcheng told the programme he was saddened that Obama and his administration gave in to the Chinese authorities, following the diplomatic incident he instigated.

"Britain is coming under threat," he said, referring to the Confucius Institute as "the soft arm of the Chinese government."

"The Chinese regime is, at heart, in essence, against democracy.

"If the economy collapses, the party collapses, the regime collapses."