UK's China Diplomacy Amidst Global Power Shifts

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit China to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations, despite potential backlash from the US under President Trump. Starmer's trip aims to boost Britain's lagging economy and improve relations with China, which have been strained due to concerns over national security and human rights. The visit comes as China seeks to expand its influence and cast itself as a stable power in contrast to the US. While Starmer's government is keen on securing economic deals, critics warn that this may come at the cost of compromising on national security and human rights issues.

Former European Commission president Jose Manuel Durao Barroso stated that China is closing the gap with the US in terms of global power, citing China's economic growth and diplomatic victories. Barroso made these comments at the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, describing the current international situation as 'volatile', 'unpredictable', and 'dangerous' due to increased 'big power competition'. He noted that while the US remains the 'most important global power', China is 'scoring more points' through its economic and diplomatic achievements.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit China from January 29 to 31, marking the first China trip by a British prime minister since 2018. The visit is seen as a test of Starmer's push for a 'reset' in ties with China, with trade and the economy expected to top his agenda. Analysts say London is navigating a 're-engagement' strategy with Beijing amid escalating geopolitical risks. The visit comes days after the approval of a Chinese mega embassy in London. Starmer's Labour Party faces a predicament in balancing relations with an increasingly coercive Washington under US President Donald Trump and a Beijing labelled a 'national security threat'. Contentious issues such as human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, the Ukraine war, and Chinese firms in Britain's critical infrastructure are expected to be on the agenda.