David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, is poised to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to China this week, a move aimed at mending the strained relationship between the UK and China that has developed under successive Conservative governments. This visit comes amid heightened scrutiny regarding human rights issues and security concerns, particularly regarding China’s treatment of ethnic minorities and political freedoms.
Context of the Diplomatic Visit
Lammy’s trip is part of a broader initiative by the Labour Party to recalibrate the UK’s foreign policy towards China. Rachel Reeves, Labour’s Chancellor, is also scheduled to visit China next year to revive high-level economic dialogues. This rapprochement, however, is fraught with controversy as it coincides with serious allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang and ongoing crackdowns in Hong Kong.
A group of UK parliamentarians, some of whom have faced sanctions from Beijing for their outspoken criticism of China’s human rights record, has urged Lammy to address these pressing issues during his discussions. In a letter sent to the Foreign Secretary on Tuesday, they expressed concern that “Beijing is testing the UK’s resolve [and] seeking to establish new parameters for engagement.”
Urgent Calls for Human Rights Advocacy
The parliamentarians, which include Labour peer Helena Kennedy and prominent Conservative figures like Iain Duncan Smith and Tom Tugendhat, are advocating for Lammy to raise several critical issues. They have specifically requested that he address the cases of political prisoners in Hong Kong, including British citizen Jimmy Lai, and to highlight the “heinous treatment” of the Uyghur community in Xinjiang.
Moreover, they urged Lammy to express “deep concern” over China’s “unilateral alteration of the status quo” in Taiwan, especially following military drills conducted by the Chinese military around the self-ruled island, described as a “stern warning” against any moves toward independence. The geopolitical implications of such tensions are significant, as highlighted in the letter, which warned of a potential $10 trillion impact on the global economy should conflict arise over Taiwan.
Cautious Diplomacy in Action
The urgency of the situation is underscored by reports that the UK Foreign Office has requested a delay in a visit from Tsai Ing-wen, the former President of Taiwan, to avoid aggravating China ahead of Lammy’s trip. Tsai is scheduled to travel to Prague and Brussels as part of her first international tour since leaving office.
The letter from the parliamentarians reflects a growing consensus that the UK must engage with China on its terms, under the leadership of Xi Jinping. “We must engage with China as it really is,” they wrote, emphasizing that the UK’s foreign policy should not prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term resilience and values.
Political Climate and UK-China Relations
In the backdrop of these discussions, the last UK Foreign Secretary to visit China was James Cleverly in August 2023. The UK and US governments have previously accused Chinese state-backed hackers of conducting extensive cyber-attacks targeting various sectors, including politics and journalism.
Labour’s manifesto has pledged a comprehensive audit of the UK-China relationship, including steps to recognize the treatment of the Uyghur minority as genocide. The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, co-chaired by Lady Kennedy and Duncan Smith, remains a vocal critic of Beijing’s policies.
Official Response and Future Directions
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a strategic approach in managing relations with China. “This government will take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing the need for cooperation where possible, competition where necessary, and challenges when required.
As Lammy prepares for his meetings, the call for addressing human rights and political freedoms remains a crucial component of the dialogue, reflecting the complexities of modern diplomacy in an era marked by increasing geopolitical tensions.
