Keir Starmer Visits Beijing, First British PM in Eight Years
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has landed in Beijing, marking the first official visit by a British leader to China since 2018. He expressed optimism about the potential for business opportunities in the country, even amid ongoing security concerns.
Traveling aboard a chartered British Airways jet, Starmer’s trip is set to last three days, and he hopes it will help ease tensions, which he described as having reached an “ice age.” This visit follows last week’s approval from the British government for Beijing to establish a significant new embassy in London, a decision that has faced backlash due to espionage and national security fears.
Britain’s MI5, the domestic intelligence agency, has stated that while there are risks associated with the new embassy, they believe these risks can be managed to a satisfactory level. However, warnings regarding the threats posed by Chinese intelligence operations in Britain continue to surface. To address security concerns during his trip, it has been reported that Starmer and his team have been provided with disposable “burner” phones and laptops, avoiding bringing government equipment into the country.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat has pointed out that even the choice of aircraft is part of the security strategy. British Airways is part of a delegation of around 60 British companies accompanying Starmer, which could raise questions about the choice of using a state-run plane versus a private charter, something Tugendhat suggests could mislead potential Chinese spies.
This visit is notable as it’s the first by a British prime minister since Theresa May’s visit in 2018. Observers believe that relations have been put on hold until the UK permitted the establishment of the new embassy. Beijing has also resisted efforts by Britain to expedite the replacement of its own outdated embassy in China.
Starmer has conveyed that this visit might have beneficial effects for business, potentially enhancing Britain’s economic fortune. Ahead of the trip, he dismissed concerns about the impact on UK-US relations, maintaining that the UK can manage its ties with both China and the US. He stated, “It would be unwise to just sit back and ignore China when they are the world’s second-largest economy and there are business opportunities.”
Responding to reporters, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer for appearing weak, suggesting that he should resist conceding to China on the embassy issue, which some believe may evolve into a hub for espionage.
During his time in China, Starmer is scheduled to visit both Beijing and Shanghai, and is expected to meet with high-ranking officials including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Reports of extensive Chinese espionage activities in the UK are widespread, revealing that Chinese operatives have been targeting the mobile communications of senior British officials as part of a broader surveillance effort involving allies such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
