The official visit to China by David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK, marks a significant step in the Keir Starmer administration’s ongoing recalibration of Britain’s foreign policy toward China. Lammy, who visited China on October 18-19 at the invitation of Wang Yi, a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and China’s Foreign Minister, is the first cabinet minister of the Starmer-led government to make such a trip. His discussions with Chinese officials are expected to focus on enhancing strategic mutual trust and strengthening cooperation across various fields, in line with the consensus reached during a call between the leaders of both countries in August.

Lammy’s visit is seen as a strategic move to reset the UK’s China policy after several years of uncertainty and strained relations. Under former prime minister Rishi Sunak, the UK’s stance on China fluctuated, with Sunak famously calling China the “greatest state-based threat” to the UK’s economic security earlier in 2023. However, with the Starmer administration now in power, a more pragmatic and measured approach toward China is emerging. The UK seems keen to shift from the tumultuous diplomatic relations of recent years and rekindle a productive dialogue with Beijing. The visit by Lammy, followed by a potential visit by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, could signal a concerted effort to reestablish mutual trust and cooperation.

The shift in London’s approach to China reflects not only a need to correct previous diplomatic missteps but also Britain’s realization that its engagement with China has lagged behind that of other major global powers. Britain has increasingly felt isolated within the G7 in terms of its China strategy, which has prompted the Starmer administration to reevaluate its stance. In the post-Brexit era, the UK is in urgent need of exploring new markets, particularly in Asia, and rebalancing its foreign policy toward China is seen as critical in this regard.

While the previous administration under Sunak took a more confrontational approach, including viewing China through the lens of strategic competition and national security threats, the Starmer administration appears ready to embrace a more nuanced stance. Recognizing China’s economic significance and the importance of a stable relationship, Starmer’s government seems to understand that mutual isolation is not a viable path for either country.

A central pillar of the renewed China-UK dialogue is their robust economic relationship. Despite the political friction that has characterized bilateral ties in recent years, economic exchanges between the two countries have remained resilient. China is currently the UK’s largest trading partner in Asia, while the UK ranks as China’s third-largest trading partner in Europe. The two nations also have substantial investments in each other’s economies, with the UK being a key destination for Chinese companies expanding into Europe. The sectors of energy transition and green technology, in particular, offer significant opportunities for further collaboration.

In a post-Brexit world, the UK business community has widely called for improving trade relations with China. British companies are eager to deepen ties with China’s massive market, especially as the UK looks to diversify its trade relationships and compensate for economic losses incurred from leaving the European Union. This makes strengthening economic ties with China a pragmatic decision that aligns with both countries’ interests.

Despite these promising steps toward improving relations, there are considerable challenges to fully resetting the UK’s China policy. At the heart of this difficulty is the UK’s ongoing struggle to balance its relationship with China against its alliance with the United States. Historically, the UK has aligned closely with U.S. policy, which has been increasingly antagonistic toward China under the Biden administration. The rebranded “competitive-collaborative-adversarial” framework that many in London subscribe to remains heavily influenced by US geopolitical priorities, which view China primarily as a strategic competitor.

For the UK to move beyond this mindset and establish a more independent, pragmatic policy toward China, it must exercise greater strategic autonomy. If the UK continues to frame its relationship with China through the lens of U.S.-China tensions, meaningful progress in bilateral ties will be difficult to achieve. Lammy’s visit, while a positive signal, will not be enough to overcome the broader political constraints that have stymied the UK-China relationship in recent years.

Domestically, the UK’s political landscape presents additional obstacles. Public opinion on China remains divided, with many in Britain subscribing to a “China threat” narrative fueled by concerns over national security, human rights issues, and ideological differences. Furthermore, the media and various political factions in the UK continue to view China with suspicion, making it challenging for any government to advocate for deeper cooperation without facing significant backlash. Before Lammy’s visit, British public opinion was vocal about the risks of engaging more closely with China, reflecting the complexities the Starmer government faces in pursuing a balanced policy.

For the Starmer administration, the ultimate challenge lies in whether it can craft a long-term, strategic approach to China that balances competition with cooperation. The key will be moving beyond the short-term, reactive policies of the past and focusing on the mutual benefits that can arise from stable China-UK relations. Both nations have much to gain from cooperation on global issues such as climate change, energy security, and post-pandemic economic recovery.

The UK has previously outlined a “three Cs” approach to China-compete, challenge, and cooperate-but this framework has yet to yield tangible improvements in bilateral relations. A more constructive path might be the alternative “three Cs” suggested by Chinese state media: Communication, Consensus, and Cooperation. These principles, if pursued with sincerity, could pave the way for a more stable and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.

David Lammy’s visit to China marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to recalibrate the UK’s China policy. While it remains uncertain whether this visit will lead to a full-scale improvement in relations, it is undeniably a step in the right direction. By focusing on enhancing economic ties, fostering dialogue, and pursuing a pragmatic approach, the Starmer administration has the opportunity to usher in a new era of stable China-UK relations.

However, much will depend on whether the UK can maintain strategic autonomy, resist external pressures, and address domestic concerns. If successful, the benefits for both countries could be substantial, and a more cooperative, stable relationship could emerge.

Please follow Blitz on Google News Channel

The post Lammy’s visit marks turning point in China-UK relations appeared first on BLiTZ.

[Read More]

—–
Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings