Bermuda's trade with China is likely to suffer as a result of the decision to allow the Uighurs here, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK has reportedly said.

United Bermuda Party MP Cole Simons met with the Chinese Ambassador to Britain, Fu Ying, and claimed she said the Uighurs still remain terrorist suspects in the eyes of the Chinese Government.

The MP said Madame Ying made those comments both in public and private yesterday at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, England.

Mr. Simons said: "Madame Ying said the Chinese Government would be happy to have the Uighurs in Bermuda returned to China if they have committed no crimes, and that China was working with the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States to have them returned to China. But the Ambassador said that if the Uighurs were proven terrorists then Bermuda and Britain had 'a larger problem'.

"In a private conversation with me, Ambassador Ying said China considered the four Uighurs to be terrorist suspects because they were in Afghanistan, and that China would continue to consider them terrorist suspects until the Uighurs proved otherwise.

"The Ambassador said the suspect status of the Uighurs had implications for Bermuda's commercial relations with China."

Premier Ewart Brown called the comments a "strange development".

"Normally, one would expect such a story to come from a certified journalist at the conference. The fact that Mr. Simons authored the story renders it at least suspect. I suggest that you get a quote from the Chinese Ambassador.

"You may recall that we hosted Chinese businessmen some weeks ago. Not one of them raised the issue or said that the Chinese government had a problem. Please note that if the Chinese Government wishes to communicate to the Bermuda Government, it should be done through the UK Government."

The Uighurs arrived in Bermuda after Dr. Brown struck a deal directly with the US, leaving Britain and Cabinet out of the loop. Governor Sir Richard Gozney and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said afterwards that the Premier had no authority to do so.

Mr. Simons continued: "Publicly, the Ambassador rejected the reason for allowing the Uighurs to remain in Bermuda on humanitarian grounds for fear of religious persecution. She said China recognised various religions, that there were many mosques in southern China and that Islam was a way of life.

"The Ambassador made the remarks in response to my questions from the floor and in our private conversation."

Mr. Simons attended a formal meeting with the Conservative members of Parliament in the UK as well as international delegates, staff from the Chinese embassy in London and British businessmen.

It was called "China and Britain: A strategic partnership in a changing world" and more than 100 people were in attendance.

Also representing the UBP were MP Charlie Swan and party Chairman Jeff Sousa.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney was not available for comment by press time.