"Keir Starmer has said the UK government will remain clear-eyed and realistic on the national security threat posed by China as he travelled to Beijing in an effort to improve relations with the economic powerhouse. The prime minister promised stability and clarity in his approach to Beijing after years of what he described as inconsistency under the Tories, as western powers turn to China in their search for economic stability amid concerns the US may no longer be a reliable partner."
"Starmer has faced criticism at home for pursuing a thaw in relations with China while the country remains a national security threat to the UK, with a decision to greenlight a new mega-embassy in London last week angering opposition politicians. China has also been accused of trying to recruit informants in parliament, harass Hong Kong pro-democracy activists in the UK, suppress criticism by an academic at a British university, and engage in cyber-attacks."
Keir Starmer traveled to Beijing to improve relations and pledged a clear-eyed, realistic approach to the national-security threat posed by China. He promised stability and clarity in policy after years of perceived inconsistency under the Tories. Starmer will meet Xi Jinping and Li Qiang to pursue economic ties while maintaining guardrails on national security and raising disagreements including human rights abuses. The trip reflects western turns toward China amid concerns about US reliability. China is the UK's third-largest trading partner, supporting about 370,000 UK jobs. The visit follows controversy over a new London mega-embassy and allegations of influence operations and cyber-attacks.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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