Why China trip by Keir Starmer may test Labour’s push for ‘reset’ in UK ties | South
When Sir Keir Starmer says “China matters”, he’s not just making a diplomatic soundbite — he’s setting the tone for a major shift in how the UK wants to deal with one of the world’s most powerful nations.
As the British prime minister heads to Beijing, this becomes the first visit by a UK PM since 2018, and it’s already being seen as a defining moment in Britain’s foreign and economic policy under the new Labour government.
Why is Starmer going to China now?
Put simply: China is impossible to ignore.
China is the world’s second-largest economy, a global manufacturing hub, and a key player in trade, technology, and geopolitics. Starmer argues that years of flip-flopping — from the so-called “Golden Age” to a diplomatic “Ice Age” — have left the UK isolated.
In his words, a “strategic and consistent relationship” with China is firmly in Britain’s national interest. That doesn’t mean agreement on everything, but it does mean engaging rather than standing on the sidelines.
Business leaders on board — literally
This isn’t just a political visit. Around 60 British business and cultural leaders are travelling with the prime minister, including representatives from:
- HSBC
- GSK
- Jaguar Land Rover
- The National Theatre
Their presence highlights the economic focus of the trip. The government wants to reopen doors for trade, investment, and collaboration, especially at a time when the UK economy is looking for growth opportunities.
Human rights and security: the uncomfortable conversations
Critics argue that closer ties with Beijing come with serious risks — and they have a point.
China has faced international accusations of human rights abuses, particularly against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. There’s also concern over the treatment of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon facing a possible life sentence.
Add to that the UK’s own security worries. MI5 has warned that Chinese espionage poses a daily national security threat, making engagement a delicate balancing act.
Downing Street insists Starmer will not shy away from these issues, saying he will “raise challenging issues where interests and values differ” — even while pursuing dialogue.
A broader global context
Starmer’s team points out that the UK is actually late to the party. Leaders from France, Germany, Canada, and other Western nations have all visited Beijing in recent years. From this perspective, Britain risks becoming an “outlier” if it stays away.
The approval of a new Chinese embassy in London, set to be the largest in Europe, has only intensified the debate. Conservatives argue it’s a security risk, while Labour sees it as part of maintaining diplomatic channels.
Not just China: Japan is next
After Beijing and Shanghai, Starmer will head to Tokyo to meet Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The message is clear: the UK wants a stronger, more balanced presence across Asia — not dependence on any single power.
The big takeaway
This visit is about realism over rhetoric. Starmer is betting that engagement, even with disagreement, is better than isolation. Whether that strategy delivers economic gains without compromising security and values is the question that will follow him home.
For now, one thing is clear: in Britain’s new foreign policy playbook, China is back on the agenda.
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