Keir Starmer calls for strong UK-China relationship

Millie Cooke, The Independent

Sir Keir Starmer said a strong UK-China relationship is “important for both of our countries” and the international community as he met Chinese president Xi Jinping on the fringes of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. The prime minister raised the case of detained pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai in a sign he was prepared to challenge China over human rights abuses, but he also signalled a desire for greater business co-operation. Sir Keir also suggested a full UK-China meeting in London or Beijing as part of his desire for “consistent, durable, respectful” ties between the two countries. He is the first British prime minister to meet the Chinese leader in more than half a decade, since Theresa May in 2018.

The UK-China relationship has deteriorated in recent years, with concerns over security, human rights and the sanctioning of Westminster parliamentarians souring ties with Beijing. Speaking at the start of the meeting at the Sheraton Grand hotel, the prime minister said: “We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible. “The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.” The Xi meeting is one in a series of discussions the prime minister is expected to have with world leaders at the two-day summit, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East likely to be high on the agenda. Speaking to reporters en route to the summit, Sir Keir said: “We are both global players, global powers, both permanent members of the Security Council and of the G20.

“China’s economy is obviously the second biggest in the world. It’s one of our biggest trading partners and therefore I will be having serious pragmatic discussions with the president when I meet him.”

Asked if he wanted a better relationship with Beijing than previous governments ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir added: “Given the size of the economy it is very important that we have a pragmatic and serious relationship and that’s what I intend to pursue.” Foreign secretary David Lammy visited China in October and pledged that the government would bring “consistency” to the UK’s relations with the country. He said that there had not been “sufficient contact” between London and Beijing under his predecessors, particularly on human rights issues.

However, the move is likely to spark concern from some in Westminster who are sceptical of closer relations with Beijing amid human rights and national security worries. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan-Smith, who has been sanctioned by Beijing following criticisms of the regime, told The Independent that “those suffering genocide and slave labour under the brutal hands of Xi will feel betrayed” by Sir Keir’s meeting. “With sanctioned MP’s like me clear that China and its axis of totalitarian states pose a huge threat to us in the free world,” he added. Sir Iain warned that “trade with China is a one way street”, saying: “They are going to dump electric cars on the UK. They use slave labour and state subsidy to break the WTO rules and have driven out many British and Western companies.

“Starmer will be seen as weak by Xi who will see him as coming to him In a ‘Kow Tow’ begging for trade at a time many middle sized companies are leaving.” The European Union increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles after an internal investigation concluded last year that state subsidies to domestic carmakers were unfairly undermining European rivals. Sir Iain added: “Will he tell Xi they have to change their ways? “No, I am sure he will ignore the world’s greatest threat to the democratic global order, and ignore the support they are giving Russia. What’s the point of British foreign policy if it ignores all that?” Sir Keir arrived in Rio in the early hours of Monday morning UK time and was greeted by the British ambassador to Brazil Stephanie Al-Qaq. It is thought that during the summit he will call on leaders to go further and faster in their support for Ukraine and warn of “unfathomable consequences” if Putin succeeds.