Starmer needs to get serious about China

In the coming days, Foreign Secretary David Lammy will visit China and Chancellor Rachel Reeves is eyeing up a visit early next year for economic and financial dialogue. Whilst engagement is important, it’s not unreasonable to expect an understanding of the government’s strategic position on such a defining relationship before ministers board their flights. Does the government believe in deepening and expanding cooperation with China, or does it believe – as it appeared to in opposition – that China is a threat and must be dealt with as such? We are simply left guessing.

As Starmer marks his first 100 days in office, the fact that there is little-to-no clarity on the government’s approach to the defining geopolitical challenge of our time raises eyebrows. Yet in opposition, Labour made the right noises on China. Shadow ministers and backbench MPs would robustly take the Conservative government to task along with a host of Tory backbenchers from all wings of the party.