Keir Starmer's Planned China Visit Amid Rising Tensions and Jimmy Lai's Conviction
Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and Hong Kong newspaper publisher, was arrested at his Hong Kong home on 18 April 2020 and was recently convicted by Beijing-appointed high court judges on charges described as an attempt to destabilise the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Lai's trial as politically motivated, with concerns that Beijing's actions reflect contempt for Britain and the 1997 handover promises.
In this context, Keir Starmer plans a January visit to Beijing and Shanghai to pursue trade and technology engagement, stating it is his duty to engage with China. However, this approach is cautioned as potentially becoming a strategic trap given China's integration of security, politics, and business. China is portrayed as Britain's undeclared enemy, conducting espionage, cyberattacks, and intimidation of dissidents. MI5 reports routine targeting of British businesses, Parliament, and MPs, with the Foreign Office recently experiencing a hack. The Commons intelligence committee has criticized the government for delaying the designation of China as a major security threat, while MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli has avoided addressing China in public remarks.
Under Xi Jinping, the CCP challenges Britain's values and interests through human rights abuses in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet; persecution of Christians; aggressive trade actions; military threats to Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines; and partnerships with Russia, North Korea, and Iran. China seeks to replace the rules-based international order with a 'great power' system as a core strategic objective.
The article argues for an alternative approach, urging Labour to strengthen ties with Europe to address shared security threats and economic challenges rather than pursuing closer engagement with China. A potential fortress-like Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge is cited as a point of leverage: if permission is not granted by mid-January, Starmer's trip could be canceled, highlighting the complex intersection of technology, security, and politics in Beijing.
