Starmer’s China visit should be pragmatic, experts say

Five China experts advise Keir Starmer to avoid public lectures during his China trip, instead privately set and enforce red lines on espionage, interference, and harassment in the UK. They urge Starmer to understand Beijing’s worldview, manage expectations on trade (highlighting that deals can be overstated), and pursue a clear, published UK-China strategy through the China Audit to help businesses assess risks and opportunities while prioritising UK interests and security.