Why Labour is strengthening ties with China after years of rollercoaster relations

Chongqing, a vast city in southwestern China, is known for its unique and impressive urban design. Built on mountainous land and crossed by many rivers, the city features elevated roads and even trains that pass through buildings. This striking architecture has caught the attention of many TikTok users who share videos of their daily commutes, gaining millions of views. Recently, a large group of UK mayors and deputy mayors visited Chongqing, marking the largest British civic delegation ever to travel there. Although the trip took place quietly in the UK, it received significant coverage in Chinese media. One UK official described Chongqing as a place where the planning department seemed to say 'yes' to everything, creating an amazing cityscape.

The delegation also visited other southern Chinese cities, meeting with local mayors and major technology companies. The visit left a strong impression on the UK officials. One deputy mayor was so impressed that they purchased a mobile phone from the Chinese brand Honor after returning home, which is notable given the UK’s previous ban on Huawei technology in its 5G networks. The trip resulted in several business agreements, including a deal for the Chinese energy company EcoFlow to open a UK headquarters in Birmingham. However, the visit was not just about trade; it was also about diplomacy. East Midlands deputy mayor Nadine Peatfield said there was a real desire to rebuild relationships between the UK and China.

In the past, UK-China relations were warmer. For example, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping once shared a pint and fish and chips, symbolizing friendly ties. But relations worsened under later UK leaders like Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, and Liz Truss. The last UK Prime Minister to visit China was Theresa May in 2018. The recent delegation and talks about Sir Keir Starmer possibly visiting China suggest a shift in relations. This new approach focuses on cooperation in areas like climate change and business, aiming to boost the UK economy by up to £1 billion over five years. UK officials describe this as a 'grown-up' approach, balancing economic opportunities with caution about security and human rights issues.