UK Prime Minister Warns China "Poses a Security Threat" but Calls for Deepening UK-China Economic Ties

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered his annual foreign policy speech on the evening of Monday, December 1st. Starmer warned that China poses a "national security threat" to the UK, but defended his government's policy of strengthening engagement with Beijing, emphasizing that deepening economic ties aligns with the UK's national interests. Multiple sources revealed that Starmer is preparing to visit China next year.

Reuters reported that Starmer's Labour government has listed improving relations with China as one of its foreign policy priorities. However, Sino-British relations have remained tense.

In a speech to British business leaders on Monday night, Starmer clearly outlined his China policy. He stated that the UK's attitude towards China has been "fickle: it has lasted too long, and a stable and realistic approach is urgently needed."

"Neither a golden age nor a frozen period"

Starmer pointed out that over the past decade, the UK's China policy has swung greatly: from the so-called "golden age" when it claimed to be China's biggest supporter in Europe, to becoming one of the harshest critics.

Starmer said, "It's time to take this seriously. We must reject simplistic binary choices - it's neither a golden age nor a frozen period now. We can ensure our own security while cooperating and trading with other countries."

Accusing the previous government of "negligence" in China relations

Starmer accused the previous Conservative government of allowing Sino-British relations to deteriorate, calling it "negligence."

He pointed out that since 2018, French President Macron has visited China twice, and German leaders have visited four times, while the last UK prime minister to visit China was Theresa May in 2018.

Sources: Starmer plans to visit China next year

Multiple sources revealed that Starmer is preparing to visit China next year. This year alone, at least four senior British ministers have visited China since the Labour Party took power.

Starmer emphasized that the UK will not "bargain" between security and economics: "Ensuring national security is non-negotiable and the government's top priority. But it is precisely by taking firm measures to protect ourselves that we can possibly cooperate in other areas."

However, Starmer also stated that for areas without significant security risks, he would encourage British companies to actively expand their operations in China.

Starmer listed financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods as "British competitive industries," and said these sectors have "huge export potential" in the Chinese market.

He said, "These success stories of the UK hold great opportunities in the Chinese market - we will fully support you in seizing these opportunities."

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1850443731694595/

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