Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confronted accusations from Conservative opponents that he was "played" by China following his recent diplomatic mission to Beijing, which critics have labelled as underwhelming. The Labour leader returned to Westminster insisting that his strategy of engaging with the communist regime was correct, despite a history of Chinese actions against British interests.
Tory Leader Launches Scathing Attack in Commons
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch delivered a fierce critique of Sir Keir's approach during a parliamentary session, arguing that the Prime Minister adopted what she called a "supine and short-termist" stance towards the authoritarian state. Badenoch highlighted that the Prime Minister came back with "next to nothing" tangible from the trip, apart from a Labubu doll, while claiming the previous government should have done more to woo China during their tenure.
Starmer's Defence of Diplomatic Engagement
Addressing Members of Parliament about his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sir Keir maintained that the Conservative administration had been mistaken to avoid high-level visits for eight consecutive years. He pointed to what he described as "a catalogue of Chinese acts against Britain," including sanctions imposed on British politicians and espionage activities, yet argued that disengagement had proven ineffective.
The Prime Minister stated: "We can do two things at once. We can protect ourselves whilst also finding ways to co-operate. And it was in that spirit that we made this visit." He emphasised being "clear-eyed about the threats coming from China" but contended that "it will be impossible to safeguard our national interests without engaging with this geopolitical reality."
Mixed Results and Parliamentary Reaction
Sir Keir pointed to the lifting of Chinese sanctions on British MPs as an "early indication" of potential progress through dialogue. He clarified: "This step is an early indication, not the sum total, of the kind of progress that this sort of engagement can achieve." However, his announcement of securing an agreement for "closer dialogue on cyber issues" drew laughter from opposition benches, given Beijing's reputation as a major hostile state actor in cyber espionage.
Badenoch countered in her Commons speech: "Of course Britain should engage with China – even though they are an authoritarian state who seek to undermine our interests. Even though they spy on us, sometimes within the walls of this building, even though they fund regimes around the world hostile to our country." She stressed: "It is not the Prime Minister engaging with China that we take issue with. What we are criticising is his supine and short-termist approach."
The Broader Context of UK-China Relations
The debate unfolds against a complex backdrop where China represents both a significant economic partner as the world's second largest economy and a strategic competitor with conflicting values. Sir Keir argued that ignoring this dual reality for nearly a decade had achieved nothing, while his opponents warn against naive diplomacy that might compromise national security.
This parliamentary exchange highlights deepening political divisions over how Britain should navigate its relationship with an increasingly assertive China, balancing economic opportunities against democratic principles and security concerns.
