Chinese Premier Li Qiang has extended his congratulations to Keir Starmer, the newly elected British Prime Minister, becoming the first senior figure in Beijing to formally acknowledge his victory. This development, reported by state media on Sunday, suggests a potential shift in the frosty diplomatic relations between China and the UK.
According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, Premier Li conveyed his desire to “work with the new UK government to consolidate mutual political trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.” This statement comes after several days of silence from senior Beijing officials, who initially only acknowledged the results of the UK election without further comment.
This move contrasts with China’s swift response to the Iranian presidential election. Just hours after Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory on Saturday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered his congratulations.
The UK and China maintain a significant economic partnership, with China being Britain’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, as per the UK Department for Business and Trade. However, diplomatic ties have been strained in recent years, largely due to Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, a former British colony.
Furthermore, both sides have exchanged accusations of espionage. Last month, Beijing alleged that MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence service, had recruited Chinese state employees for spying purposes.
Xinhua reported that Li emphasized the importance of “strengthening bilateral coordination and cooperation,” highlighting a potential avenue for improving relations between the two countries. This gesture could signify a shift towards a more collaborative approach, particularly in areas of mutual interest.
