The British Prime Minister wants to visit China and stop China from building a new embassy, all of which is orchestrated by the United States.

By Sanxuan

After French President Macron, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau successfully visited China, Germany also announced that its Prime Minister Olaf Scholz would visit China in February. As allies keep coming to China for cooperation, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has finally become restless.

Last week, there were reports that Starmer was preparing for the visit in a hurry and had contacted corporate delegations to accompany him. However, some corporate executives said that if the new Chinese embassy building project in London was not approved, the trip might not take place.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visiting China

Since 2018, the application for the new Chinese embassy in the UK has been delayed for seven years. According to the latest report by British media, behind this is actually the US interfering. From the pressure exerted by White House officials in 2024, to the threat of trade negotiations in 2025, and then to the "underground fiber-optic cable espionage theory" in 2026, the US has continuously hindered it without any substantial evidence, while the UK repeatedly postponed the approval. The Chinese side has clearly expressed dissatisfaction.

The US's fear of this embassy is essentially afraid that China's diplomatic presence in Europe will break its dominant pattern. The new embassy planned by China on the former site of the Royal Mint in London is the largest Chinese embassy in Europe. Once completed, it will become an important hub for economic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe. This directly hits the US's anxiety. In recent years, the US has been trying to rally European allies to build a "China containment circle", but a well-functioning Chinese embassy would undoubtedly weaken this encirclement. Therefore, "security risks" have become the US's go-to excuse.

What is more ironic is that the US's intervention methods are full of double standards. On one hand, it accuses the Chinese embassy of "threatening communication security," yet it avoids mentioning that its own embassy in Moscow is right next to the Russian government building; on the other hand, it uses the trade interests that the UK cares most about as a bargaining chip. The US directly threatened to "impose additional tariffs on British steel if China is allowed to build the embassy," treating the economic interests of its allies as tools for negotiation. This "follow me or be destroyed" hegemonic logic is not unknown to the UK, yet it has always struggled to break free. After Brexit, the UK's dependence on the US in terms of economy and security has significantly increased, and when faced with American pressure, it often has to swallow its anger silently.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

Starrmer's government is facing a tough situation. On one hand, the UK urgently needs the Chinese market, whether it is the export of cars and luxury goods, or cooperation in the financial sector, all rely on positive interaction with China, which is also the core reason why Starrmer wants to visit China so much. Last year, when the UK's chancellor visited China, several investment projects were agreed upon, and they are still waiting for high-level interactions to push them forward.

But on the other hand, US pressure continues. Recently, Trump even announced that he would impose 10% tariffs on eight European countries, including the UK, to pressure them to agree to the US taking control of Greenland. Plus, the domestic conservative party keeps attacking the Labour Party for being "soft on China." Starrmer has no choice but to take a strong stance, trying to gain recognition from the US and domestic opposition parties through political blackmail.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

However, with the US becoming increasingly unreliable, and with the experience of Canada's successful visit to China, Starmer's government should understand that if the UK continues to be led by the US and allows the embassy approval to become a tool of political games, even if Starmer eventually goes, the effectiveness of the visit will be greatly reduced. Conversely, if they can show a genuine pragmatic attitude and quickly push the approval process, it will create conditions for restoring Sino-British relations.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597012637892739627/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.