UK: Starmer Makes First PM Visit to China in Eight Years

Should Britain prioritize economic ties with China or take a stand on human rights and national security concerns?

Published 1 day ago

UK: Starmer Makes First PM Visit to China in Eight Years

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Above: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing on Jan. 28. Image credit: Carl Court/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-China narrative

Eight years without a British leader visiting China marks a shameful and stupid lapse that has damaged crucial economic opportunities for British workers. During this time, Britain has foolishly lectured and threatened China with baseless smears while the country has become an economic superpower. It's time to reset relations with China, building mutual trust amid Washington's increasing instability.

George Galloway on X Chinadaily

Anti-China narrative

Visiting China while British citizen Jimmy Lai remains imprisoned in torturous conditions is unconscionable — the British government is mindlessly cosying-up to the Chinese Communist Party. China continues subjecting Uighurs to appalling human rights violations, brutally oppressing Hong Kong and making brazen attempts to recruit spies around Westminster. Economic gains must never override Britain's duty to safeguard national security and call out Chinese wrongdoing.

The Times The Telegraph