Category: Britain

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held his first in person meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping on November 18, on the sidelines of the G20 summit, being held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The two men had previously held a telephone conversation on August 23.

In his opening remarks, borrowing from the British Labour Party’s stated policy goals, Xi noted that the new government was “working to fix the foundations of the economy and rebuild Britain.” He added that while the two countries differ in history, culture, values, and social systems, they share extensive common interests and enjoy vast space for cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare and people’s well-being, which should be further expanded to better benefit both peoples.

Starmer responded by saying that, in advancing their shared goals, his approach would be consistent, respectful and pragmatic.  The Prime Minister’s office’s read out of the meeting, added: “On climate, in particular, both said that this should be high on the agenda and there was more work to be done to accelerate global progress towards net zero. Both the UK and China have an important role to play in support of the global clean power transition.”

The British Prime Minister welcomed the recent visit to Beijing and Shanghai by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, looked forward to the planned China visit by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, planned for early next year, and expressed hope for the resumption of full, high-level bilateral engagement with China, which has been interrupted over recent years.

However, much of the goodwill generated by the meeting would have been spoiled by Starmer’s tactless and undiplomatic behaviour in publicly raising a number of contentious issues, in particular the case of Jimmy Lai, publisher of the former scurrilous newspaper, Apple Daily, who has been described by the Chinese Embassy in London as, “one of the most notorious anti-China elements bent on destabilising Hong Kong…  Jimmy Lai was a major plotter and instigator of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong. He blatantly colluded with external forces in jeopardising national security, solicited foreign support, and committed various sinful deeds.”

It is, of course, an act of the most revolting and blatant hypocrisy for Starmer, who has defended and abetted Israeli genocide in Gaza, the most egregious violation of human rights in the world at present, and who continues to do so; and whose government is engaged in a brutal campaign of politically motivated persecution and attempted intimidation of journalists who dare to point out the truth of what is happening in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East, such as Richard Medhurst, Sarah Wilkinson and Asa Winstanley, to accuse the leaders of other countries of abuses of human rights or violations of press freedom.

In its editorial comment on the meeting, the Morning Star described it as “long overdue”, noting:

“There is plenty of room for growth, especially in exports to China, where Britain lags far behind Germany, France and Italy. Relaxing the US-inspired ban on selling key electronic, micro-processing and [supposed] ‘dual use’ (civilian-military) engineering products to China would help.

“Restrictions on Chinese investment in Britain already hold back the roll-out of 5G technology and the application of quantum physics – in which China leads the world – to computing, communications, geology and medicine.”

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and the Morning Star.

Xi calls on China, Britain to adopt rational, objective perspective on each other’s development

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 18 — China and Britain should adopt a rational and objective perspective on each other’s development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit.

The two countries should enhance strategic communication and deepen political mutual trust to ensure a steady, substantial, and enduring development of bilateral relations, he said.

Noting that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi said that China and Britain, both as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major global economies, share the responsibilities of advancing their respective national development and addressing global challenges.

Both countries should stick to their strategic partnership, adhere to the principles of mutual respect, open cooperation, and mutual learning, strive for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and jointly write the next chapter of healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, he added.

Continue reading Xi Jinping meets Keir Starmer in Brazil

The following article by Zheng Zeguang, China’s Ambassador to the UK, was originally carried in the special supplement marking the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which was compiled and edited by Friends of Socialist China and published together with the Morning Star on Saturday, September 28, to coincide with our conference the same day. It is the main body of the speech he delivered at the reception he hosted to mark the anniversary on the evening of September 25.

The Ambassador’s speech was carried in full on the website of the Chinese Embassy, along with a report on the reception. A response to the Ambassador’s speech, on behalf of the British government, was delivered by Catherine West MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The PDF of the full Morning Star supplement may be downloaded here.

Seventy-five years ago, the birth of New China marked the end of more than a century of humiliation for the country, and the beginning of the historic process of China’s rejuvenation.

Over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chinese people of all ethnic groups have united as one and worked diligently to achieve two phenomenal miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

In the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has made historic achievements and gone through unprecedented transformation.

We have built a well-off society, and are working towards a great, modern socialist country in all respects. National rejuvenation is now on an irreversible course.

China’s composite national strength has achieved historic growth. Once a poor country, China is now the world’s second biggest economy, and the biggest manufacturer, biggest trader in goods, and the country with the biggest foreign exchange reserves.

Based on constant prices, China’s GDP in 2023 is 223 times larger than that of 1952. The average annual growth rate has been 7.9%.

China has become a scientific and technological powerhouse, and important advances have been made in the country’s national defence capabilities.

China is home to the world’s biggest middle-income group with the best growth potential. We have put in place the world’s largest medical, educational and social security systems. The quality of people’s lives has seen continuous improvement.

China’s development has been an engine for the global economy. From 1979 to 2023, China’s contribution to global economic growth averaged 24.8% annually, and for the period between 2013 and 2023, the figure was over 30%.

China itself is making remarkable progress in green and low carbon transition and is now the world’s biggest clean energy producer. In the meantime, China’s ‘new three’, namely, new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products are enabling other countries to expedite their transition.

As a developing country itself, China feels the desire of other developing countries for modernisation and is actually facilitating the modernisation of the Global South, through the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation.

By the end of 2023, the accumulated investment made by China in Belt and Road partner countries reached over two trillion RMB.

Chinese companies have helped to build Latin America’s first ultra-high-voltage transmission line, Africa’s first modern electrified railway, and its first digital mining project, among many other infrastructure and livelihood projects in developing countries.

China’s development has injected positive energy into world peace. Following an independent foreign policy of peace, China has been building friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit.

Over the past 75 years, China has never initiated any war or conflict and has never occupied an inch of other countries’ territory. We have always worked for peace and dialogue, and the political settlement of international disputes.

China has sent more troops to UN peacekeeping missions than any other permanent members of the Security Council. We are now the second biggest funding contributor to both the UN and its peacekeeping operations.

In the face of increasing volatility and transformation around the world, we call on all countries to work together to build a community with a shared future and call for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. 

We stand ready to work with all parties to earnestly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative, so as to bring about more stability and economic growth to this turbulent world.

As we speak, the Chinese people are going all out to achieve modernisation through our own path. Daunting as our mission may be, we have full confidence in achieving our goals.

In the next five years, we will complete over 300 reforms and further enhance our institutions in different sectors, as set out at the third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

With these measures, China’s productivity and social vitality will be further unleashed, the development momentum further reinforced, and new opportunities will be created for China’s cooperation with other countries.

The United Kingdom was among the first major Western countries to recognise New China. And it has been 52 years now since the two countries established full-fledged diplomatic relations.

History has taught us a lot about the relations between these two countries:

–Despite the differences in political system, history and culture, we have a lot in common and extensive shared interests.

–Exchanges and cooperation conform to the common aspiration of our peoples and serve the fundamental interests of both sides.

–With our respective advantages in economy, education and culture, there are great potentials for collaboration.

–We can contribute to the resolution of major international issues by working together, and this is also our responsibility as two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Last month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached important common understanding in their phone call. They agreed that we should uphold mutual respect, enhance engagement, and expand cooperation.

And recently, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Laos, Vice Premier He Lifeng and Chancellor Rachel Reeves talked over the phone, and so did our energy ministers. Our two militaries have just conducted their consultations on defence strategies.

Going forward, we should work together to follow up on the understanding between our leaders and build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship.

The development of China-UK relations needs the support of people across different sectors from both countries.

We never forget the “Icebreakers” who opened the doors for trade between China and the UK in the 1950s.

We never forget that generation of statesmen from both countries who made the strategic decision to establish diplomatic relations 52 years ago.

And we never forget all those who have worked tirelessly to help connect our two peoples over the past seven decades.

All of them continue to give inspiration to us today.

I call on all of you to continue to support and take an active part in China-UK relations and make new contributions to the steady development of this relationship.

On August 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. What is believed to be the first conversation between the two men took place at Starmer’s request.

Having congratulated the British Prime Minister on his recent assumption of office, President Xi told Starmer that the two countries need to view their relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, continue to see each other as partners, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship that contributes to the well-being of the two countries and the world. China is committed to building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernisation and follows a path of peaceful development. It is hoped that the UK will view China in an objective and rational manner.

He went on to say that China is moving faster to develop new quality productive forces and advance new industrialisation. These efforts will create new opportunities for the UK and countries around the world. China is prepared to have equal-footed and mutually respectful dialogue with the UK to enhance mutual understanding and trust, build greater synergy between the development strategies of the two countries, expand cooperation in such areas as financial services, green economy and artificial intelligence, and deepen people-to-people ties, thus making mutual benefit the defining feature of China-UK relations.

Starmer congratulated Chinese athletes on their excellent achievements at the Paris Olympics. He said that developing closer UK-China cooperation is in the long-term interests of both sides. Enhanced trade, financial, educational, energy and health cooperation supports the goals of both countries and helps address climate change and other global challenges. He reassured China there is no change to the UK’s long-term one-China policy.

We reprint below the report of the conversation that was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. We also reproduce for reference the much briefer report that was posted on the British government’s website.

Xi Jinping Speaks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the Phone

On the afternoon of August 23, President Xi Jinping took a phone call from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

President Xi congratulated Keir Starmer on assuming the office of the Prime Minister. President Xi noted that faced with transformation and volatility in the international landscape, China and the U.K., as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the world’s leading economies, need to view their relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, continue to see each other as partners, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship that contributes to the well-being of the two countries and the world. China is committed to building a great country and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and follows a path of peaceful development. It is hoped that the U.K. will view China in an objective and rational manner. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee laid out a strategic plan for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. China is moving faster to develop new quality productive forces and advance new industrialization. These efforts will create new opportunities for the U.K. and countries around the world. China is prepared to have equal-footed and mutually respectful dialogue with the U.K. to enhance mutual understanding and trust, build greater synergy between the development strategies of the two countries, expand cooperation in such areas as financial services, green economy and artificial intelligence, and deepen people-to-people ties, thus making mutual benefit the defining feature of China-U.K. relations.

Prime Minister Starmer congratulated Chinese athletes on their excellent achievements at the Paris Olympics. He said that developing closer U.K.-China cooperation is in the long-term interests of both sides. Enhanced trade, financial, educational, energy and health cooperation supports the goals of both countries and helps address climate change and other global challenges. The U.K. hopes to strengthen engagement and dialogue with China at all levels and in various areas, strive for positive results in practical cooperation and institutionalized exchanges between the two countries, and develop long-term, stable and strategic U.K.-China relations in the spirit of mutual respect. The U.K. will have regular dialogue with China on key international and regional issues to contribute to world security and stability. Prime Minister Starmer reassured China there is no change to the U.K.’s long-term one-China policy.

President Xi pointed out that China places high importance on the U.K.’s desire for more engagement and dialogue, and will maintain exchanges with the U.K. at all levels, promote steady and sustained progress in China-U.K. relations, and work together to advance global peace and development.

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PM call with President Xi Jinping of China: 23 August 2024

The Prime Minister spoke to President Xi Jinping of China this morning.

The Prime Minister began by setting out his priorities for his government, including national security, secure borders and economic stability. 

The leaders discussed areas of shared collaboration, and potential areas of cooperation between the UK and China, including on trade, the economy and education.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas such as climate change and global security. 

The Prime Minister added that he hoped the leaders would be able to have open, frank and honest discussions to address and understand areas of disagreement when necessary, such as Hong Kong, Russia’s war in Ukraine and human rights. 

The leaders also agreed on the need for a stable and consistent UK-China relationship, including dialogue between their respective foreign and domestic ministers. 

They agreed to stay in touch.

China’s Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang visited Scotland in the first week of August, first visiting the country’s ‘energy capital’ of Aberdeen prior to the national capital, Edinburgh.

On August 6, Ambassador Zheng met with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Scotland in various fields.

Ambassador Zheng said that Scotland has a unique history and cultural tradition, strong capacity in science, technology and education, and outstanding economic advantages. Over the years, Scotland has maintained close exchanges and cooperation with China, bringing huge benefits to both peoples.  China supports its provinces and cities to expand friendly exchanges with Scotland, broaden mutually beneficial cooperation, and create more highlights of cooperation, to better serve both peoples.

First Minister Swinney, who is also the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), welcomed Ambassador Zheng to Scotland. He said that Scotland attaches great importance to long-term friendly cooperation with China. China’s achievements are well recognised worldwide. China is the largest source of imports and an important export market of Scotland. The Scottish side is willing to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with Chinese provinces and cities in economy, trade, education, culture, tourism, new energy, medical care and infrastructure development, and welcomes more Chinese entrepreneurs, students and tourists to Scotland.

The previous day, Ambassador Zheng had met with city leaders of Edinburgh and congratulated the city on its successful hosting of the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival, commending the fruitful results it has achieved in exchanges and cooperation with Chinese cities. He noted that there is significant potential for collaboration between Chinese cities and Edinburgh in areas such as economy, trade, education, culture, science and technology, tourism, healthcare and new energy, and expressed hope that the two sides will strengthen dialogue and communication, expand exchanges and cooperation, and bring greater benefits to the people. 

Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge and others said that China’s rapid development has garnered worldwide attention. Edinburgh has long maintained close cooperation with Chinese cities like Shenzhen and Xi’an. Edinburgh hopes to continue its collaboration with China in education, science and technology, culture and tourism, and expand cooperation in new energy, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure, among other areas. The Chinese community in Edinburgh has made significant contributions to the city’s economic and social development. Edinburgh welcomes more Chinese investors, students, and tourists to the city.

On August 2, the Ambassador had met with the civic leaders of Aberdeen and said that in the first half of this year, China’s GDP grew by 5%, continuing to make steady progress. We are fully confident, he added, in achieving our annual economic and social development goals. China’s further deepening of comprehensive reform to advance Chinese modernisation will bring new opportunities to countries around the world.

Zheng praised the fruitful results of Aberdeen’s cooperation with China, noting the broad prospects for collaboration in areas such as energy transition, green and low-carbon development, economy, trade, education, and tourism. China welcomes closer exchanges and wider cooperation between Aberdeen and its Chinese counterparts, which will help leverage the advantages of both sides to complement each other and deliver their respective economic and social development goals.

His hosts said that Aberdeen highly values its exchanges and cooperation with China and hopes to further expand areas of collaboration and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. With Aberdeen’s rich resources in energy, education, and tourism, they look forward to welcoming more Chinese investors, tourists, and students to the city.

Ambassador Zheng also visited major Chinese companies who have invested in Scotland.

Visiting the Aberdeen headquarters of CNOOC [China National Offshore Oil Corporation] Petroleum Europe on August 3, the Ambassador was briefed by Pan Yiyong, the company’s President, who said it will proactively advance its projects in the UK, strengthen collaboration with its partners, fulfil corporate social responsibility, and aim for steady and sustainable development.

On August 4 in Edinburgh, he visited the headquarters of Red Rock Renewables. Company leaders gave a briefing on its successful wind power projects in Scotland, adding that it is exploring opportunities to participate in large-scale wind power development and to contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy growth.

Ambassador Zheng stated that growing wind power and other renewable energies is a priority for Scotland’s green and low-carbon transition. He expressed hope that Red Rock Renewables will continue to leverage its advantages, showcase the positive image of Chinese enterprises, and actively participate in local projects, and encouraged the company to create new highlights in mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute more to mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The following articles were originally published on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

Ambassador Zheng Zeguang meets with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

On 6 August 2024, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang met with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney in Edinburgh. The two sides had an  in-depth exchange of views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and Scotland in various fields.

Ambassador Zheng said that Scotland has a unique history and cultural tradition, strong capacity in science, technology and education, and outstanding economic advantages. Over the years, Scotland has maintained close exchanges and cooperation with China, bringing huge benefits to the people of both sides. China has a full-fledged industrial system, a large market and huge growth potential. China’s new round of deepening reform across the board will further stimulate social vitality and development momentum, accelerate high-quality development, and bring new opportunities to countries around the world including the UK. China supports its provinces and cities to expand friendly exchanges with Scotland, broaden mutually beneficial cooperation, and create more highlights of cooperation, to better serve the people of both sides.

First Minister Swinney welcomed Ambassador Zheng to Scotland. He said that Scotland attaches great importance to long-term friendly cooperation with China. China’s achievements are well recognised worldwide. China is the largest source of imports and an important export market of Scotland. The Scottish side is willing to enhance mutual beneficial cooperation with Chinese provinces and cities in economy, trade, education, culture, tourism, new energy, medical care and infrastructure development, and welcomes more Chinese entrepreneurs, students and tourists to Scotland.

Chinese Consul General to Edinburgh Zhang Biao, Counsellor Kong Xiangwen from the Chinese Embassy, and Fang Wenjian, General Manager of Bank of China London Branch & Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, Chen Xiaomeng, CEO of the Red Rock Renewables attended the meeting.

Continue reading Ambassador Zheng Zeguang meets with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney

In the following article, Grenville Cross dissects the likely foreign policy trajectory and options of Britain’s new Labour government which took office following the July 4 general election. 

Regarding the manifesto on which the Labour Party fought the election, he notes that its references to foreign policy are relatively sparse, but that it committed the party to “working with the US, supporting NATO, enhancing the AUKUS pact, and backing Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, so no surprises there. They mirrored the policies of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, and [now Prime Minister Sir Keir] Starmer was trying to steal its clothes,” adding that he had also thrown in some Cold War rhetoric of his own:

“This will have delighted the US and its military-industrial complex, even though it is the long-suffering Ukrainian people who will pay the price of their bellicosity.”

Having noted that the manifesto promised that “Labour will bring a long-term and strategic approach to managing our relations” [with China] and committed to an “audit of our bilateral relationship” to  “understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses,” Cross observes, “If Starmer can be more principled on the world stage, this will be welcome, although the early signs are less than reassuring,” adding:

“On July 7, his new foreign secretary, David Lammy, eager to make a splash on his second day in office, said he hoped China would not become involved in the Ukraine conflict. He warned that Beijing had to be ‘very careful’ about ‘deepening its partnerships with Russia, Iran and North Korea’. As China has remained neutral in the conflict, has not supplied weapons to either side, and is pressing for a ceasefire, Lammy should have congratulated it upon its continuing role as an honest broker. Unfortunately, years of instinctive prejudice toward Beijing have taken their toll on British foreign policy.”

However, as China was Britain’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, the last thing the UK needs is a political neophyte like Lammy trying to worsen relations. Citing Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s congratulatory message to Starmer on his election, where he expressed his willingness “to work with the new UK government to consolidate mutual political trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation”, Cross opines that it is regrettable that Lammy did not respond in kind.

He argues that: “The hypocrisy that was the hallmark of Sunak’s administration in other areas is again rearing its ugly head and suggests the two governments have more in common than people realised. After a Russian air raid (accidentally, according to Putin) hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv, killing 22 people, Starmer, on July 9, accused him of ‘the most depraved of actions’. However, his words came back to bite him.

“The former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, whose relatives have suffered in Gaza, immediately took Starmer to task. He compared Putin’s invasion of Ukraine with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombardment of Gaza. Writing on X, Yousaf told Starmer that if he condemned Russia for killing children but continued ‘to sell arms to Israel, who have killed over 14,000 children (and counting) and destroyed Gaza’s hospitals with impunity, then you are a hypocrite.”

The author argues that: “Starmer would do well to heed Yousaf’s words. If he wishes to be taken seriously, he cannot slavishly follow his predecessor’s policy of condemning Putin’s actions in Ukraine while allowing Netanyahu to get away with blue murder in Gaza. In the general election on July 4, pro-Palestinian candidates became effectively the sixth-largest party in parliament when five independents opposed to the Gaza massacres were elected, and they will undoubtedly hold Starmer’s feet to the fire.”

Grenville Cross is a senior counsel and law professor and was previously Hong Kong’s Director of Public Prosecutions.

The article originally appeared in China Daily Hong Kong edition.

On June 13, when the UK Labour Party issued its manifesto for the general election on July 4, its focus was domestic issues. This was understandable, as elections are won and lost on bread-and-butter issues. There were, however, some references to foreign policy, albeit nothing too beefy. Signed by the Labour Party leader (now prime minister), Sir Keir Starmer, the manifesto committed the party to working with the US, supporting NATO, enhancing the AUKUS pact, and backing Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, so no surprises there. They mirrored the policies of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, and Starmer was trying to steal its clothes.

He also threw in some Cold War rhetoric of his own, claiming that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was “attempting to break European security with his full-scale invasion of Ukraine”. If nothing else, this showed that he, like Sunak, favored turning an eastern European territorial dispute into a “forever war”. This will have delighted the US and its military-industrial complex, even though it is the long-suffering Ukrainian people who will pay the price of their bellicosity.

However, despite the similarities, Starmer insisted his party would “end the chaotic approach to foreign affairs”. The UK would “once again stand strong on the world stage”, which sounded fine. A new approach to UK-China relations was also foreshadowed, and time alone will tell if this is serious.

The manifesto declared, “After 14 years of damaging Conservative inconsistency over China, Labour will bring a long-term and strategic approach to managing our relations.” This meant “we will cooperate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must,” all very nice sound bites. Moreover, an “audit of our bilateral relationship” was also envisaged for improving the UK’s ability to “understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses”.

As Sunak cynically enfranchised the estimated 140,000 BN(O) passport holders who have relocated to the UK since 2021, hoping they would then vote Conservative in gratitude, Starmer decided he better go after their votes. His manifesto said the Labour Party would “stand with and support members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK”, and many undoubtedly voted for Labour.

If nothing else, Starmer was right about the inconsistencies of successive Conservative governments in their policies toward Beijing. Whereas then-prime minister David Cameron (2010-16) saw the development of UK-China relations as heralding a “golden era”, his successors, notably Boris Johnson and Liz Truss (2019-22), switched to confrontation (albeit under US pressure).

Not only did Johnson join the US in imposing hostile measures upon Hong Kong when China acted decisively to end the insurrection that sought to wreck the “one country, two systems” policy in 2019, but he also hoodwinked China in 2020. Having granted Huawei a 35 percent stake in the UK’s 5G network in January 2020, he then, at US insistence, reneged on the agreement six months later. If Starmer can be more principled on the world stage, this will be welcome, although the early signs are less than reassuring.

On July 7, his new foreign secretary, David Lammy, eager to make a splash on his second day in office, said he hoped China would not become involved in the Ukraine conflict. He warned that Beijing had to be “very careful” about “deepening its partnerships with Russia, Iran and North Korea”. As China has remained neutral in the conflict, has not supplied weapons to either side, and is pressing for a cease-fire, Lammy should have congratulated it upon its continuing role as an honest broker. Unfortunately, years of instinctive prejudice toward Beijing have taken their toll on British foreign policy.

However, as China was Britain’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, the last thing the UK needs is a political neophyte like Lammy trying to worsen relations. When the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, congratulated Starmer on his election, he said China was “willing to work with the new UK government to consolidate mutual political trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation”, and it is regrettable that Lammy has not responded in kind.

However, while Lammy was busy stoking tensions, the peacemakers were at work. The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, having discussed the conflict over several days with both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents, met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 8, in what he described on X (formerly Twitter) as “Peace mission 3.0”. Although Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, the EU, which is pouring cash and arms into the conflict, distanced itself from Orban’s initiative. Instead of wishing Orban well, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that “appeasement will not stop” the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, which was music to the ears of the warmongers.

However, Orban refused to be deterred, given that peace in Ukraine benefits not only Europe but also mankind. He said China was a “key power in creating the conditions for peace,” which was “why I came to meet with President Xi”. He described China as a stabilizing force during global turbulence and praised its “constructive and important” peace initiatives. These included China’s six-point peace plan, which it issued with Brazil on May 23 and which the West downplayed.

It is a pity that Starmer has yet to take a leaf out of Orban’s book, although hope springs eternal.

According to CCTV, Xi said, “Only when all major powers exert positive energy rather than negative energy can the conflict see the dawn of a cease-fire as soon as possible,” and Lammy was hopefully listening. However, it was not only the EU that was unhappy with the peace talks. The US National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, also weighed in. He said the Xi-Orban meeting was “concerning” for the US and did not hold any promise “of trying to get things done in Ukraine”.

It is, moreover, not only with Ukraine that the new Labour government has been found wanting. The hypocrisy that was the hallmark of Sunak’s administration in other areas is again rearing its ugly head, and suggests the two governments have more in common than people realized. After a Russian air raid (accidentally, according to Putin) hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv, killing 22 people, Starmer, on July 9, accused him of “the most depraved of actions”. However, his words came back to bite him.

The former first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, whose relatives have suffered in Gaza, immediately took Starmer to task. He compared Putin’s invasion of Ukraine with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombardment of Gaza. Writing on X, Yousaf told Starmer that if he condemned Russia for killing children but continued “to sell arms to Israel, who have killed over 14,000 children (and counting) and destroyed Gaza’s hospitals with impunity, then you are a hypocrite”.

Given his background as a human rights lawyer, Starmer would do well to heed Yousaf’s words. If he wishes to be taken seriously, he cannot slavishly follow his predecessor’s policy of condemning Putin’s actions in Ukraine while allowing Netanyahu to get away with blue murder in Gaza. In the general election on July 4, pro-Palestinian candidates became effectively the sixth-largest party in Parliament when five independents opposed to the Gaza massacres were elected, and they will undoubtedly hold Starmer’s feet to the fire.

On July 10, moreover, when at least 29 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli air strike on a camp for displaced people outside the al-Awda school in southern Gaza, it was immediately condemned by the European Union. It was the fourth attack on or near schools sheltering displaced people in four days, and the German Foreign Ministry, in a statement on X, said, “The repeated attacks on schools must stop and an investigation must come quickly.” However, there were no such words of condemnation from Starmer (or Lammy), and his silence cannot be explained away by his absence abroad.

If, as seems likely, the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants shortly against Netanyahu, Starmer must give it his full support. The warrants have been sought by Karim Khan KC, the ICC’s British chief prosecutor. Like Starmer, Khan made his mark as a human rights lawyer, and Starmer must stand with him, even if it upsets the US. He must also immediately end arms sales to Israel, as the UK can no longer be a party to Netanyahu’s crimes against humanity.

On July 10, Starmer arrived in the US for the NATO summit hosted by the US president, Joe Biden. Like his predecessors, he decided that some tough talking at China’s expense would not go amiss. He declared he would be “robust” with Beijing, and willing to challenge China about human rights and security concerns.

Although this undoubtedly pleased Biden, he must have been ecstatic when Starmer announced that, although he plans to force members of the UK’s House of Lords to retire at 80, it did not mean that Biden was too old to carry on serving as president at the age of 81 (and beyond).

If Starmer imagined this type of sycophancy could advance the so-called “special relationship” between the UK and the US, so be it. He will have to learn the hard way that all the US is really concerned about is British subservience, including unquestioning support of its hegemonistic policies around the world.

Biden would also have been relieved that Starmer’s concern for human rights in China did not extend to Gaza, where Israel, with US connivance, is committing human rights violations on an industrial scale on an almost daily basis.

Although it is still early days, the Labour government has already misstepped on foreign policy. While its ministers are on a learning curve, they must quickly master their briefs and make a clean break from the past. If they can stop kowtowing to the US, build a constructive relationship with China, support the peacemakers, and plow an independent furrow, a new dawn is still possible.

In his manifesto, Starmer declared “This election is about change,” and this must encompass foreign affairs. He needs to develop global strategies that are honest, pragmatic and balanced. If he can achieve this, he will not only undo much of the harm caused by his predecessors, but also promote the UK’s best interests and those of humanity.