The British government is being careful not to call Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s trip to China a “reset” in the relationship, instead framing it as a “new starting point”.
It might be difficult to see what the difference is.
But the UK-China relationship has been unstable for years and there appears to be a definite intention to get it back on track.
Mr Lammy has met British business leaders in Shanghai.
“I believe what you need is more diplomacy, not less,” the foreign secretary said. “I was able to have dialogue with the Chinese on areas where we disagree, areas like Hong Kong.”
On Friday, Mr Lammy met his counterpart, foreign minister Wang Yi, in Beijing.
Mr Yi said: “The world is now facing unprecedented challenges, and competition between major countries should not become the backdrop of the era.”
Labour wants to have a “pragmatic” policy on China.
This means deepening its trade ties, even as it disagrees with Beijing on issues like the prosecution of pro-democracy activists, including British citizen Jimmy Lai, in Hong Kong.
The government is working on an “audit” of its relationship with China, it’s believed it will be finalised next year.
The West is at odds with China over its support for Russia by exporting machinery, tools and semiconductors that Russia can use in its war against Ukraine.
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded local newspaper Apple Daily. File pic: AP
The US and Europe have also accused China of “overcapacity” – producing more electric vehicles than the world can absorb and driving down prices.
China says the world needs its green technology to power the transition to a cleaner future, and it has a right to develop its economy.
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However, the UK has remained largely quiet about China’s massive export increase of EVs, solar panels and batteries.
The previous British government called China an “epoch-defining” challenge.
Labour is still working out its China policy, but it does not have time to waste.
