Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing for a diplomatically sensitive visit to China in the new year, according to multiple sources familiar with the planning.
Controversial Timing Amid Security Concerns
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby revealed on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast that the trip is likely to occur at the end of January 2025, though official confirmation remains pending. The timing proves particularly contentious given the UK's increasingly strained relationship with China, exacerbated by recent allegations of Chinese espionage activities within Parliament.
Rigby noted she had received information about the planned visit from two separate sources, indicating serious preparations are underway. "As I understand it, it's not been confirmed, but I guess until they get on the plane, these things are never confirmed," she told Labour peer Baroness Harriet Harman during the podcast recording.
Security Services Sound Alarm
The diplomatic mission faces heightened scrutiny following recent security warnings issued to MPs and peers about new attempts by Chinese security services to conduct espionage in Westminster. MI5 specifically alerted parliamentary figures to be wary of two recruitment headhunters allegedly working for Chinese intelligence services.
This security alert came shortly after the collapse of a prosecution case against two individuals suspected of spying on China's behalf. The combination of these events has created a politically charged atmosphere surrounding any high-level engagement with Chinese officials.
Balancing Economic and Security Interests
Despite the security concerns, Baroness Harman argued that the Prime Minister should undertake the visit, though with appropriate caution. "I think he should, but I think there's no naivety around the government about, although there's opportunities to cooperate with China on climate change, on trade, that there's also major challenges that they've got to be wary of - so I think they'll be going, but with eyes wide open," she remarked during the podcast discussion.
The visit represents what Rigby described as a "massive moment" in UK-China relations, noting that Theresa May was the last British prime minister to visit China in 2018. The significant gap between high-level visits underscores the delicate nature of the relationship and the challenges Starmer's government faces in balancing economic interests with security concerns.
International context adds another layer to the planned visit, following recent talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former US President Donald Trump in South Korea. Trump described those discussions as "amazing," rating them "12 on a scale of one to 10" in terms of success.
