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sir keir starmer The groundwork appears to have been laid for a major concession to China, despite using the keynote speech to say Beijing Poses a “national security threat” to the UK.
But with an important decision Chinese Super Embassy The following week, the prime minister used his annual Mansion House speech on foreign policy to express a strong stance toward China, seeking to work with Xi Jinping’s communist government.
He said: “[China] It is a country of vast scale, ambition and ingenuity. A decisive force in technology, trade and global governance. It also poses a national security threat to Britain.
“The UK needs a China policy that recognizes this reality. Instead, for years we have endured hot and cold.
“We had a golden age, which then turned into an ice age. We reject that binary option.
“Our response will therefore neither be driven by fear, nor softened by confusion. It will be based on strength, clarity and sober realism.”
The words come amid growing speculation that his government will give the green light to the controversial new Chinese super embassy at the Royal Mint Court, despite national security concerns.
A decision on the project has been postponed until 10 December when Communities Secretary Steve Reid will announce whether he has given it the go ahead.
The issue of relations with Beijing has become a point of concern for Sir Keir after he had to defend his government amid claims it was responsible for the collapse of two alleged affair trials in October. Chinese spies in parliament.
The government claimed that the failure to designate China as a national security threat at the time of the alleged crimes prevented the trial from proceeding.
But, while Sir Keir’s new policy is similar to that previously adopted by the Tories, he will insist it is based on a realistic approach.
Describing the absence of engagement with the world’s second-largest economy as “shocking” and a “dereliction of duty”, the Prime Minister underlined his government’s considered and adult approach, saying: “It is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We do not trade off security in one region for a little more economic access elsewhere.”
“Protecting our security is inevitable – our first duty. But by taking stronger measures to keep us safe, we enable ourselves to cooperate in other areas.”
The Prime Minister gave more details on how the Government is planning a long-term approach to help British businesses win their share of the opportunity.
He said: “We are absolutely clear that when it comes to, for example, defence, AI or our critical national infrastructure, we will always protect our security and our economic interests.
“But we are also clear that in areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to seize these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigation measures in place.
“So in sectors such as financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods and more – great British success stories – the export opportunities are huge and we will support you to seize them.”
Meanwhile, Sir Keir has signaled he wants to make further progress towards improving the deal with the EU on Brexit.
He used a speech on Monday to criticize the impact of Brexit on the economy. But in his Mansion House address, he ruled out returning to the bloc as members or rejoining the single market.
Instead, he took a dig at Nigel Farage and Reform UK, as well as the Tories, for their willingness to sever international ties by abandoning the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
He said: “The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression and I will always respect that.
“But how it was sold and distributed was simply wrong. Absurd promises were made to the British people and were not kept. We are still grappling with the consequences today.”
He described how the “corrosive, inward-looking attitude” spread by those proposing to choose between our allies, leave the ECHR or even leave NATO would only hold Britain back.
He would say: “It offers grievance rather than hope. A decadent vision of a small Britain – not a Great Britain.
“Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment. To ignore the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world – a world that is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation. Where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.”
He said: “In these times, we work for Britain by looking outward with new purpose and pride. Not by turning back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.”
Since coming to power last year, Sir Kiir has been active on the world stage, trumpeting deals with the US, India and the EU and leading a “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine.
But he has also faced criticism from his opponents, who accuse him of spending too much time out of the country attending international summits rather than focusing on domestic issues.