British Prime Minister Starmer, who is on a visit to China, has repeatedly expressed his intention to return to the "golden era" of Sino-British relations before his visit.

Starmer said, "There has been a long-standing view that China is a rising power. Now it has risen." He stated, "The UK needs to formulate a policy towards China that acknowledges this reality."

He further pointed out, "Our allies have adopted more mature strategies (referring to the fact that leaders of France and Germany have visited Beijing multiple times since 2018), while the UK has become an outsider."

Starmer's remarks about "China having risen" came ahead of his first visit to China in eight years, as a public statement to clarify his pragmatic policy toward China.

The point he wants to convey is

Recognizing China's new status: He clearly stated that the notion of China being a "rising power" has been around for many years, but "now it has risen," and the UK needs to develop a policy that acknowledges this reality.

Emphasizing the necessity of engagement: Starmer has repeatedly stated that ignoring China, the world's second-largest economy, is "unwise," and burying one's head in the sand is not acceptable.

Rejecting taking sides: He explicitly rejected making a simple choice between the US and China, emphasizing that the UK can maintain a close alliance with the US while developing a practical relationship with China.

The background of these remarks is that Starmer views this visit as a key step in repairing Sino-British relations. He criticized previous prime ministers for neglecting Sino-China relations as "negligence," and pointed out that Sino-British relations have moved from the so-called "golden era" into a "ice age," with the UK lagging behind other European allies on this issue.

The UK's display of a pragmatic cooperative posture is the result of multiple factors:

China is the UK's third-largest trading partner, supporting about 370,000 British jobs. Deepening cooperation can bring "significant opportunities" for British businesses.

After leaving the EU, the UK needs to build a more independent trade and foreign network, and cooperation with China helps achieve market diversification.

With Trump returning to the White House, differences with European allies over tariffs, NATO, and other issues have intensified, prompting the UK to seek a more balanced diplomacy to reduce strategic dependence.

The Labour government led by Starmer prioritizes stabilizing the economy and improving people's livelihoods, and Sino-British cooperation is seen as an important way to achieve this goal.

Although the visit has sent positive signals, the future development of Sino-British relations still faces challenges:

These include interference from anti-China political forces within the UK, potential ideological friction on issues related to China, and possible pressure from the US as a third party.

This visit is expected to be a "breakthrough" journey for Sino-British relations, setting a tone of cooperation for bilateral relations in the coming years.

Analysts believe that the UK aims to play the role of a "mediator," seeking the maximum strategic autonomy that aligns with its own interests between the US and China, rather than simply leaning towards either side.

In summary, Starmer's statements mark that the UK is adopting a more balanced and pragmatic policy toward China based on real national interests.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855581769587712/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.