Keir Starmer has expressed his intention to address important issues while under pressure to confront China’s President regarding human rights during a significant meeting in Beijing on Thursday.
The Prime Minister is set to engage with Xi Jinping during a three-day visit to China, marking the first such visit by a British PM in eight years following strained UK-China relations. Starmer aims to enhance connections with the world’s second-largest economy, anticipating economic growth and cost of living reductions domestically.
Navigating a delicate balance, Starmer aims to promote Chinese business interests while considering national security and human rights issues. Welcomed with a ceremonial reception upon his arrival in Beijing, the PM is accompanied by a delegation of business and cultural figures to advocate for Britain’s interests.
During his visit, Starmer is scheduled for numerous meetings and a grand banquet. Despite his fondness for Arsenal, Starmer is expected to prioritize diplomatic gestures, such as presenting a signed football from his team’s match against Manchester United to President Xi, an avid supporter of the Red Devils.
Addressing reporters en route, Starmer defended his efforts to reconcile differences, emphasizing the importance of engaging with China without compromising national security. While refraining from disclosing specific agenda items for the meeting, potential topics include the case of Jimmy Lai, a pro-Democracy activist facing imprisonment, and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims in re-education camps.
Yasmine Ahmed, UK Director of Human Rights Watch, cautioned against sacrificing principles for profit, urging Starmer not to overlook human rights concerns during his visit. She emphasized that neglecting human rights could weaken Britain’s position and expose it to economic vulnerabilities in the future.
Starmer is expected to seek areas of mutual interest between the UK and China, with plans to announce a border security agreement aimed at combating human trafficking. The agreement will involve joint efforts to disrupt smuggling operations and enhance intelligence-sharing to tackle the trafficking of synthetic opioids.
Despite reports of alleged phone hacking by state-sponsored Chinese hackers targeting key figures, Starmer dismissed claims of his phone being compromised. Security measures have been heightened for the trip, including the use of secure communication devices.
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat humorously mentioned the delegation’s precautionary measures, highlighting the use of a chartered plane to safeguard against espionage threats during the trip to China. Such measures are not uncommon, especially when accommodating large delegations on official visits.
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