As Cameron visits, Chinese state-run newspaper calls Britain 'just an old European country'

BEIJING – As British Prime Minister David Cameron continues his visit to China, a state-run newspaper in Beijing is calling Britain a fallen great power worthy now only as a destination for tourists and students.

The Global Times also criticized Cameron for comments backing expanded democracy in former British colony Hong Kong and said Britain was colluding with France and Germany to provoke China over the Dalai Lama. Cameron's visit was originally scheduled for last year, but was postponed by China after he met with the exiled Tibetan leader reviled by Beijing.

Britain, the paper said, is no longer seen as a "big power" among Chinese, but as "Just an old European country apt for travel and study." The editorial's sneering tone reflects the Communist Party paper's particular strain of belligerent nationalism.