Keir Starmer is set to depart for China this Wednesday in a bid to mend strained relations, marking the first visit by a British Prime Minister in eight years.
During the visit, the Prime Minister aims to strengthen ties with China, the world’s second largest economy, in an effort to enhance economic growth prospects for the UK.
Despite existing tensions in the US-UK relationship due to various issues, including disputes over Greenland and Afghanistan, Mr. Starmer faces challenges in addressing sensitive topics with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. These include concerns over espionage, the treatment of Uighur Muslims, and the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai, a British national and pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong.
This four-day trip is significant as it is the first official visit by a British Prime Minister since Theresa May’s visit in 2018. Previous Tory Governments had experienced strained relations with China, exacerbated by disagreements over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, crackdowns on protests in Hong Kong, and suspicions of Chinese espionage.
Mr. Starmer, who has been working to improve relations with China since taking office, emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent and strategic relationship with China for the UK’s national interest. He highlighted the need to engage with China on various issues, even when there are disagreements, in line with the approach taken by other allies.
The visit is expected to be contentious, given past disputes over alleged Chinese espionage, sanctions on British officials critical of Beijing, and human rights concerns. However, the Prime Minister sees potential economic benefits in deepening ties with China, especially as global trade disruptions persist due to threats of tariffs by former US President Trump.
Downing Street affirmed the UK’s commitment to maintaining national security while engaging with China, emphasizing the importance of re-establishing international relationships and strengthening the country’s position on the global stage.
Lord Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, expressed cautious optimism about closer ties with China but urged honesty and clarity in dealings with Chinese authorities, warning against relying solely on appeasement tactics.
In addition to the visit to China, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, amidst ongoing domestic challenges, including backlash over political decisions back home.
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