Starmer seeks to repair ties with China amid security concerns
Sir Keir Starmer will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday in a bid to mend relations with China after years of frosty relations.
The Prime Minister will lead a delegation of more than 50 British business, sports and cultural representatives aiming to provide greater access to trade.
But Downing Street insisted the government “will not trade economic access for our national security” due to concerns about Chinese espionage in the UK.
Ahead of the trip, the Prime Minister said: “Whether you like it or not, China is important to the UK.
“As one of the world’s largest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is absolutely in our national interest.
“This does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose, but intervening even where we disagree.”
Sir Keir’s visit was the first by a British prime minister since Theresa May’s visit in 2018. A year later, relations with Beijing soured following a crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, and Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei was banned from the UK’s 5G network over security concerns.
Since coming to power, Labor has experienced a thaw in relations with China, which remains the UK’s third largest trading partner and a key part of global supply chains; The Prime Minister said the Conservatives’ approach to Beijing was “plagued by inconsistencies”.
Sir Keir’s trip follows visits from a number of senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and the approval of a new embassy in London last week despite opposition from China hawks.
But he continued to face pressure from parliamentarians to keep his distance from China and even cancel his trip over human rights concerns, such as the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and British citizen Jimmy Lai.
Ahead of the trip, Lord Chris Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, told the Press Association that Sir Keir should raise Mr Lai’s situation at the beginning of his talks with Chinese leaders or it would be “pathetic”.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister was expected to raise “a range of areas where we disagree” during his meetings in China.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman said “we cannot make any progress without meaningful dialogue”, adding: “To stick our heads in the sand and refuse to engage would be a stunning dereliction of duty.
“This will make British people less safe, deprive us of opportunities and undermine our ability to manage global challenges in areas such as climate and health.”
The spokesman pointed out that French and German leaders have visited China many times since 2018, that no British prime minister was present during this period, and that US President Donald Trump is expected to go to China in April.
Sir Keir said: “This is what our allies do and what I will do: serve the people, put more money in their pockets and keep them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad.”
But there is still a risk that a closer relationship with China could anger Mr. Trump, who has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canada, citing Canada’s deal with Beijing.
Mr. Trump had initially praised the deal, but reversed his position after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he criticized U.S. efforts to annex Greenland.
Speaking to Bloomberg before his trip, Sir Keir said he would not choose between the US and China.
He said: “I’m often invited to just choose between countries. I don’t do that.”
Sir Keir will be accompanied by representatives from businesses including Jaguar Land Rover, Barclays and AstraZeneca, as well as cultural organizations such as the Science Museum and the National Theatre.
He will also be joined by Business Minister Peter Kyle and City Minister Lucy Rigby.
