Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the UK government will remain “clear-eyed and realistic” on the national security threat posed by China as he travels to Beijing in an effort to improve relations with the economic powerhouse. He promised “stability and clarity” in his approach after years of what he described as “inconsistency” under the Tories.
Starmer’s trip comes amid tensions between Britain and the US over Donald Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland and his criticism of the Chagos Islands deal. Downing Street said that at a time of growing global instability, the prime minister would act in the UK’s national interest. He is set to meet China’s president, Xi Jinping, and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday.
However, Starmer has faced criticism at home for pursuing a thaw in relations while China remains a national security threat. The decision to greenlight a new mega-embassy in London last week angered opposition politicians. China has been accused of trying to recruit informants in parliament, harassing Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the UK, and engaging in cyber-attacks. Downing Street said Starmer would maintain “guardrails” on national security while discussing economic ties, but would not trade one for the other and would raise areas of disagreement, including human rights abuses.
The prime minister argued the UK cannot afford to ignore economic opportunities presented by China – the world’s second largest economy and the UK’s third largest trading partner, supporting 370,000 British jobs. “For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency, blowing hot and cold, from golden age to ice age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” he said.
The Conservatives criticised the visit, with shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel saying Starmer “lacks the backbone to stand up for Britain”. A No 10 source countered: “Sticking our heads in the sand and refusing to engage would be a staggering dereliction of duty.” Starmer is accompanied by a delegation of about 60 British businesses and cultural organisations, including HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover and the National Theatre.
