UK should discard dual-track approach: China Daily editorial

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China this week comes at a key juncture in the evolving relationship between the two nations. As the first British prime minister to visit China since 2018, his trip underscores a growing recognition in London of the importance of improving ties with Beijing.

The UK government's recent approval for the construction of a new Chinese embassy in London, a project that had been delayed for years, suggests an intent to reset bilateral relations that had suffered a deterioration under previous UK governments.

The timing is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with increasing transatlantic frictions over many key issues. In this context, it is understandable that allies of the increasingly unpredictable United States are conducting a pragmatic policy reassessment based on real-world conditions. The UK is not alone in making this recalibration, as shown by the series of Western leaders visiting China in recent months.

Such a practical choice is driven by these countries' recognition that they need to expand their development space in today's complex international environment. For the UK, which currently faces growing pressures on its economy, the opportunities in the Chinese market are particularly pronounced.

But if the UK wants to make the most of cooperation with China, it must consider the serious negative effects of its recent politicization of trade issues related to China. The so-called "China threat" that has been used as justification for these actions has been fabricated by the US as part of its self-serving agenda.

The UK government will best serve its country's interests by embracing a wholehearted cooperative relationship with China rather than hedging or succumbing to outdated biases.

Since Starmer took office, there have been encouraging developments in bilateral interactions, with strengthened dialogue and expanded cooperation in trade, investment, green development, finance and people-to-people exchanges. Yet, the UK's practice of sending positive signals of cooperation while simultaneously viewing China as a "threat" is not conducive to a genuine turnabout in relations. It is incumbent on the UK to demonstrate true sincerity. This means shedding its ideological biases and viewing its relationship with China objectively.

In his recent speeches on China, Starmer rejected both the "golden age" rhetoric of a decade ago and the confrontational "ice age" stance of his predecessors, and criticized previous Conservative governments for failing to visit or adequately engage with China, calling it a "staggering" "dereliction of duty".

But his assertion that China poses a "national security threat" to the UK raises doubts about his government's sincerity in seeking to stabilize and advance China-UK relations. Not to mention that the UK's continued interference in China's internal affairs creates unnecessary friction. Hence, to truly reset relations, the UK government should anchor its stance in the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries.

China welcomes the prospect of improved relations with the UK. But this requires the UK to adhere to the principles of mutual respect and noninterference, and reciprocate China's sincerity in seeking steady, healthy and mutually beneficial relations.

China and the UK have strong economic complementarities, with huge potential for cooperation in financial openness, the new energy transition and third-party market collaboration. If the UK can focus on managing differences with China properly and tapping the potential of their collaboration, it will inject fresh momentum into their relations. Both sides can also make joint efforts to address global issues such as climate change, AI and public health.

Starmer's visit is a chance to kick-start ties on an upward trend, but the true test will be whether the UK can move beyond its dual-track cooperation-confrontation policy and embrace a more consistent and constructive engagement with China.