Despite strained relations due to espionage allegations and China’s tightening control over Hong Kong, the UK and China remain major trading partners.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently held his first official call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing hope for “open, frank, and honest” discussions on areas of disagreement. This marks the first communication between Mr. Xi and a British leader since his conversation with Boris Johnson in March 2022.
The leaders discussed potential areas of cooperation, including trade, the economy, and education, while emphasising the need for close collaboration on global issues like climate change and security. They agreed on maintaining a stable UK-China relationship, fostering dialogue between their respective foreign and domestic ministers.
China’s embassy in the UK stated that President Xi congratulated Starmer on his role and urged both countries to view their relations from a long-term strategic perspective. The statement reiterated China’s commitment to peaceful development through modernisation and hoped the UK would view China objectively and rationally.
Despite strained relations due to espionage allegations and China’s tightening control over Hong Kong, the UK and China remain major trading partners and permanent members of the UN Security Council. In 2023, China was the UK’s fifth-largest trading partner.
Tensions have persisted under previous UK leadership. In 2022, former PM Rishi Sunak ended the “golden era” of UK-China relations and described China as a “systemic challenge” to UK values. China has also sanctioned several UK citizens and faced restrictions in the UK, including the ban on TikTok in Parliament over security concerns. Additionally, UK police charged two men in 2023 with spying for China under the Official Secrets Act.
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