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Minister of State for Trade Policy Chris Bryant stressed in an interview with Sky News that relations with Beijing require caution, but it cannot be pretended that China does not exist. “Of course, you need to keep your eyes wide open in relations with China. We need to oppose China on issues where we disagree with them. But we have to accept the fact that China is a world power” – he said.
He also recalled that it is the world's second largest economy and Britain's fourth export market. “So it would be complete madness if the UK did not maintain contacts with China. “I think it's really important that Keir Starmer is there,” he added.
The British Prime Minister met with the President of China. Donald Trump planned his own visit
Starmer in Beijing met, among others, with Xi Jinping, calling for “more mature relations” between the two countries, as well as with Chinese business leaders. It was agreed during the visit customs duties on Scotch whiskey were reduced from 10 to 5 percent, a declaration was signed to increase imports of British goods and services, and visa-free travel was introduced for British citizens for up to 30 days. A total of 10 cooperation documents were included.
The visit comes just after the government in London agreed to construction of a new Chinese embassy, the largest in Europe. Critics have warned that the facility near the City could foster espionage.
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The opposition also does not spare words of criticism – Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said that she would not go to China if she were Starmer. Right-wing media thunder about the “capitulation in Beijing” and the Daily Telegraph illustrated the visit with a photo of the Prime Minister among Chinese soldiers under the title “Starmer among friends”.
Meanwhile alone Trump announces his own trip to China in April.
