China-UK relations

Starmer to Beijing – wants to thaw relations with China

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is travelling to China today with the aim of strengthening ties with Beijing, writes The Guardian. The trip is being seen as particularly important after the increasingly shaky relations between Europe and the US in the past month, in the wake of Donald Trump's foreign and customs policies.

Ahead of the trip, Starmer has promised to create "stability and clarity" in the relationship between Britain and China. The Prime Minister tells the BBC reporter who is accompanying him on the trip that the goal is a more consistent line, rather than one that "oscillates between a golden age and an ice age".

At the same time, he has been criticised by the opposition at home for trying to thaw relations with China, which many continue to see as a threat to British national security.

Starmer, for his part, has argued that London cannot ignore China's increasingly prominent role as a global power player and economic superpower. At the same time, he has promised not to back down on security.

Expert advice for Starmer: Don't lecture Xi – listen

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer should avoid trying to lecture China on human rights during his visit to the country. That's the advice given by former Trade Secretary Vince Cable, one of several experts Politico spoke to.

According to Cable, such reprimands lead nowhere.

- It only angers people. They respond in the same way and remind them of all the bad things Britain has done throughout history, says Cable, who has himself visited China several times.

Ben Bland, head of the think tank Chatham House's Asia Program, warns Starmer about being "naively optimistic". He advises Starmer to listen carefully to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

- The British's ability to directly influence China is quite limited, but it is very important that we try to understand how they see the world, he says.

Starmer arrived in China today and will meet Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Analysis: High-level balance numbers await Starmer

Keir Starmer will have to walk an advanced balancing act during his trip to China, writes Sky News' Beth Rigby in an analysis. He needs to pave the way for new trade agreements with Beijing, but at the same time not anger US President Donald Trump, she writes.

The Prime Minister also needs to deal with domestic criticism of China's view of human rights and the fact that China continues to be singled out as a threat to British security.

The Guardian's Lisa O'Carroll describes business deals with China as a double-edged sword. There is certainly much to be gained for Britain, but at the same time, the increasingly bold Chinese President Xi Jinping may use trade for political pressure, she writes.

She points out, among other things, that China last year almost stopped the global automotive industry by blocking the export of microchips to several countries.