UK trade minister in China at same time as head of military

A trade minister has travelled to China on an unpublicised visit this week at the same time as the head of the British military, the Guardian has learned.

- Eleni Courea Dan Sabbagh

Douglas Alexander, the minister for trade policy and economic security, is visiting Beijing for talks with Chinese counterparts. He is also due to visit Hainan and Hong Kong.

Alexander's trip, which does not appear to have been publicised by the UK or Chinese governments, coincided with an unannounced visit to China by Adm Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the British military, for the first time in a decade.

Alexander held talks with Chinese counterparts at a time when Beijing's trade dispute with the US was intensifying and while ministers were locked in talks with British Steel's owner, Jingye. A government source said Alexander's trip was planned and unrelated to US tariffs or the negotiations over the future of British Steel, with no talks planned with Jingye. The department said Alexander was promoting British exports.

China's defence ministry said Radakin had discussed strengthening military cooperation with a country that the UK officially describes as posing a "systemic challenge".