Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's inaugural bilateral visit to China is hanging in the balance, with business leaders expressing scepticism about its prospects unless the UK government first approves China's contentious new London embassy.
Diplomatic Trip Tied to Embassy Decision
Downing Street has begun approaching corporate executives to gauge their interest in joining the Prime Minister on a trip to Beijing, tentatively scheduled for the latter part of this month. The proposed visit would be Sir Keir Starmer's first bilateral engagement in China since taking office.
Officials are aiming for dates after the conclusion of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 23 January, though a precise itinerary remains unconfirmed. The entire plan, however, is clouded by the pending decision on China's proposed new diplomatic compound in London.
The government is obligated to deliver its verdict on the embassy plans on or before 20 January. Recent reports indicate the security services have given the project a green light, suggesting approval is likely.
Business Leaders Voice Conditional Support
Several executives contacted by Sky News have privately indicated that the high-level trade mission is unlikely to proceed if the embassy application is rejected. This creates a direct link between a sensitive planning decision and the UK's broader economic diplomacy.
Such joint visits with business leaders have been a staple of UK-China relations in the past. Former Prime Minister David Cameron famously heralded a "golden era" during his tenure, and his successor, Theresa May, announced billions in commercial deals during a 2018 visit.
Since then, the relationship has cooled markedly due to geopolitical tensions, casting doubt on other planned bilateral economic forums for this year.
Starmer's "Third Way" on China Faces Early Test
In a speech last month, Prime Minister Starmer sought to define a middle path in UK-China policy, rejecting the shift from a "golden age" to an "ice age." He stated, "We reject that binary choice," while acknowledging China as a "nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity" and a key player in global trade and technology.
This prospective trip represents an early, practical test of that stated philosophy, balancing economic engagement with national security considerations.
Both Downing Street and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which oversees the embassy planning process, have declined to comment on the matter.
