UK Prime Minister Starmer, Chinese President Xi Jinping Hold Talks at G20 in Brazil
UK Prime Minister Starmer, to Hold Talks With Chinese President Xi Jinping Hold Talks at G20 in Brazil
The Facts
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for "stable and pragmatic engagement" with China ahead of a bilateral meeting with Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping at Brazil's G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for "stable and pragmatic engagement" with China prior to a bilateral meeting with Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping at Brazil's G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The meeting will be the first by a UK prime minister with Pres. Xi since Theresa May in 2018. Starmer and Xi also spoke on a phone call in August this year, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited China in October.The meeting was the first by a UK prime minister with Pres. Xi since Theresa May in 2018. Starmer and Xi also spoke on a phone call in August this year, while UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited China in October.
The Spin
Whilst frank dialogue and cooperation will always be necessary between two major international powers, there are many concerns that now is certainly not the right time for Starmer to be rubbing shoulders with Beijing. China continues to threaten Taiwan, and refuses to condemn Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, with the incoming Trump administration already angered by the UK's decision to rescind sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, posturing towards Pres. Xi will only alienate the US further. The UK must think twice about any closer relations with China.
There is huge potential for cooperation between China and the UK, and Prime Minister Starmer has made no secret that he is seeking a renewed relationship with Pres. Xi. Yet so far, the UK's behavior does not match its rhetoric, with trade embargoes and an increasing military presence in the South China Sea undermining Downing Street's hopeful messaging. David Lammy's visit to China in October was a step in the right direction, but more must be done to assure Beijing that Westminster is willing to step out of America's shadow and make use of the opportunities on offer.
