Foreign secretary David Lammy is set to take a “pragmatic” approach to UK relations with China, as he embarks on a two-day trip to Beijing and Shanghai today (18 October).
The foreign office said in a press statement that the “UK is taking a consistent, strategic and pragmatic approach to China” in order to protect national interests.
“The Foreign Secretary’s visit is a reflection of the consistent, strategic and pragmatic approach the UK government will take to managing the UK’s relations with China – co-operating where we can; competing where we need to; and challenging where we must.”
Ukraine, trade and the green transition
Lammy said:
“Engagement with China is pragmatic and necessary to support UK and global interests. From stopping Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, to supporting a global green transition, we must speak often and candidly across both areas of contention as well as areas for cooperation in the UK’s national interest.”
The Tottenham Hale MP is also meeting with UK business leaders to discuss the UK’s economic relationship with China and is expected to push to deepen economic ties.
While governments around the world have hit Chinese electric vehicles and commodities with tariffs, the UK has largely refrained from doing so under both Conservatives and Labour governments.
‘More engagement’
Earlier in the week, business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Politico that the UK “needs more engagement with China”, criticising the previous Conservative government for not engaging properly with Beijing.
While David Cameron took a more open approach to China, subsequent Tory prime ministers took a harder line. Rishi Sunak took a more “robust” stance towards the Asian nation, describing it as a threat to the UK’s way of life.
Earlier this week, Lammy quietly launched a cross-Whitehall audit of the UK’s relationship with China, according to Morning Trade UK, fulfilling a manifesto promise to do so within 100 days of taking office.
‘In-depth’ discussion
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said he and Lammy will have an “in-depth discussion” on issues raised between Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK PM Sir Keir Starmer in an August phone call.
Starmer said he hoped to have “open, frank and honest discussions” on issues of disagreement, such as Chinese support for Russian war efforts, its treatment of the Uyghurs and restriction of Hong Kong’s political autonomy.
According to the Guardian, Labour has recently backtracked on its plans to officially designate China’s treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide.
Human rights groups have said that Muslim ethnic groups face mass internment, torture and are forced to abandon their religion, a charge that Beijing rejects.