On December 1, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer used his annual banquet address to call for a consistent, "hot-and-cold"-free policy towards China. Rejecting isolationism, Starmer praised China as a "defining force in technology, trade and global governance," while warning of national security risks.
This week, a spokesperson for China’s UK Embassy countered that remarks framing China as a threat are "groundless," and called on the UK to maintain a "rational and friendly approach" toward China’s development. The embassy emphasized that China has consistently acted as a builder of world peace and a contributor to global development.
Responding to Starmer’s comments on Hong Kong, the embassy reiterated that Hong Kong "has long since returned to China," and that its affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. It demanded that the UK respect mutual non-interference, equality and mutual benefit as the pillars of China-UK relations.
In his address, Starmer also criticized the previous Conservative government for a deteriorating relationship with China and pledged to back British businesses in sectors such as financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals and luxury goods to seize export opportunities.
For young global citizens and business enthusiasts, this diplomatic dance signals potential shifts in market access, tech collaboration and sustainable partnerships. It raises a question for changemakers and travelers alike: can diplomacy be both pragmatic and principled?
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Embassy: UK should maintain 'rational and friendly approach' to China
cgtn.com
