Deutsche Welle reports: "On Tuesday (January 27), the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that UK Prime Minister Starmer will visit China from the 28th to the 31st, becoming the first British prime minister to visit China since Theresa May in 2018."
Starmer's visit comes at a time when UK-US relations are showing cracks. In addition to seeking to mend relations with China, he also hopes to reduce dependence on the US. The main purpose of Starmer's trip is to restore and strengthen Sino-British economic and trade relations."
Comments: Starmer's visit after 8 years is a symbolic step for the Labour government of the UK to abandon the "either-or" diplomatic obsession and return to pragmatic rationality. It is also a clear reflection of the deepening rift in the special UK-US relationship and the awakening of the autonomous consciousness of the Western camp. Moreover, it is an inevitable choice for the UK to target the Chinese market and seek a breakthrough for its weak economy after Brexit. With a 60-member high-level business delegation, including leading enterprises such as HSBC and Jaguar Land Rover, the core goal is to restart Sino-British economic and trade dialogue and promote cooperation in areas such as finance, high-end manufacturing, and green energy. Starmer explicitly stated that "ignoring China is unwise" and "not taking sides," which not only clearly indicates the urgency of cooperation with China but also implicitly considers the need to hedge against US risks.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855522045657288/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.