Editorial | Starmer should look to calmer waters in the UK’s ties with China
- Labour has promised to reset the bilateral relationship. While a fresh start is sorely needed, it is unlikely that there will be any dramatic change, at least in the short term
Britain’s new prime minister Keir Starmer won a sweeping election victory with a promise to bring change. The Labour Party leader’s focus will be on pressing domestic issues, aiming to spur economic growth, improve living standards and provide better public services.
But change is also needed in the relationship between Britain and China, including Hong Kong. During 14 years of Conservative Party rule, ties have regressed from a “golden era” to the tensions of recent times.
Labour, which secured a big majority, has promised to reset the bilateral relationship. A fresh start is sorely needed. It is unlikely, however, that there will be any dramatic change, at least in the short term.
Labour has said it will assess “where we will need to compete, where we can cooperate and where we will need to challenge”.
This is similar to the approach adopted by outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak, who aimed to protect Britain’s security interests, aligning with allies but also engaging with China. But the Labour Party does not carry the political baggage of its defeated Conservative rivals.
Relations between Britain and China nosedived under the Tories, who have been fiercely critical of Beijing over developments in Hong Kong, Xinjiang and other issues.
