China and UK Seek New Start in Relations After High-Level Meetings
In a significant move towards mending strained ties, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Chinese high-ranking officials on October 18, including Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The meetings emphasized the implementation of crucial consensus reached by their leaders during a phone conversation in August. Discussions focused on strengthening strategic mutual trust, enhancing communication, and promoting practical collaboration across various domains, from trade to international affairs.
The renewed dialogue signals a potential thaw in bilateral relations that have been frosty in recent years. Lammy expressed his government’s commitment to strengthening dialogue and collaboration with China in a coherent and mutually respectful manner. He highlighted the importance of aligning with long-term interests, effectively managing differences, and upholding diplomatic commitments regarding the one-China principle.
Wang Yi noted that China-UK relations have developed through history and now stand at a new starting point. He emphasized the need for both nations to seize this opportunity to advance their relationship.
With the Labour government indicating a desire for non-confrontational ties, and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds advocating for “more engagement with China”, there is a growing imperative to clear up misunderstandings created by previous administrations. This recalibration aims to chart a new beginning grounded in positive spirit, mutual benefits, and constructive global impacts.
Reflecting on the past, former Prime Minister David Cameron’s tenure had ushered in a “golden period” of China-UK relations. However, subsequent policies and shifts in the UK’s political climate undermined those gains, leading to strained relations. Notably, in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2024, China-UK trade was £86.5 billion (approximately $113 billion), a decline of 21.1 percent from the same period in 2023. China slipped to being the UK’s sixth-largest trading partner, down from third place just three years prior.
As both Beijing and London seek to move past artificial animosities and anti-China sentiments in the UK, there is a shared recognition that their common interests outweigh differences. By viewing each other as partners rather than rivals, the two nations can work towards win-win outcomes that benefit not only their own citizens but also contribute positively to global affairs.
Reference(s):
New start for China-UK relations: Pragmatic recalibration needed
cgtn.com
