We must work with China despite threats, warns PM

Sir Keir Starmer appears to have laid the groundwork for a major concession to China, despite using a keynote speech to say Beijing poses “national security threats” to Britain.

- DAVID MADDOX

With a crucial decision on the Chinese super embassy coming next week, the prime minister used his annual Mansion House speech on foreign policy to express a robust policy towards China while seeking to work with Xi Jinping’s Communist government.

He said: “[China] is a nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity. A defining force in technology, trade and global governance. At the same time it also poses national security threats to the UK.

“The UK needs a China policy that recognises this reality. Instead, for years we have blown hot and cold.

“We had the golden age, which then flipped to an Ice Age. We reject that binary choice.

“So our response will not be driven by fear, nor softened by illusion. It will be grounded in strength, clarity and sober realism.”

The words come amid growing speculation that his government will give the go-ahead for the controversial new Chinese super embassy in Royal Mint Court, despite national security concerns.

A decision on the project was postponed until 10 December when communities secretary Steve Reed will announce if he has given it the go-ahead.

The issue of relations with Beijing has dogged Sir Keir after he had to defend his government amid claims it was responsible for the collapse of a trial in October of two alleged Chinese spies in parliament.

The government claimed that the failure to designate China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged crimes prevented the trial from going ahead.