Concerns Over Keir Starmer's China Visit Amid Jimmy Lai's Conviction and Security Threats
Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong newspaper publisher and British citizen, was convicted last week by Beijing-appointed Hong Kong high court judges on charges of attempting to destabilise the Chinese Communist Party. His arrest dates back to 18 April 2020.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the trial in Hong Kong as politically motivated; however, it is argued that Beijing is unlikely to be swayed by such condemnations.
Keir Starmer is planning a visit to Beijing and Shanghai in January, asserting it is his duty to improve relations with China. He downplays national security threats, but this approach is described as a naive balancing act and a potential "bear trap."
China is depicted as Britain's undeclared enemy with ongoing concerns including espionage, cyber-attacks, and intimidation of dissidents. A reported Foreign Office hack attributed to China, and MI5's statement that Chinese intelligence targets businesses, Parliament, and MPs highlight these threats.
Under Xi Jinping's leadership, China seeks to replace the rules-based international order with a "great power" system, underpinned by human rights abuses in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Other concerns include persecution of Christians, industrial policies, and military threats to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. China's alliances with Russia, North Korea, and Iran, along with support for Moscow's war in Ukraine, are also cited.
China's security state, economy, and commerce are portrayed as deeply intertwined. The Huawei ban is presented as evidence of how authoritarian regimes operate, and any deals Starmer makes with China are argued to carry national security implications.
Beijing is reportedly demanding a fortress-like embassy near Tower Bridge in London; if permission is not granted by mid-January, Starmer's trip could be canceled.
The piece argues that Donald Trump cannot be trusted and links Starmer's position to a US technology deal misstep, mentioning a £31bn US-UK tech prosperity deal that Trump reportedly reneged on.
An alternative proposed path calls for Labour to rebuild ties with Europe, focusing on shared security threats and democratic values rather than engaging predatory regimes. It is suggested that any engagement with China should be conditioned on the prior release of Jimmy Lai.
