#uk-china-relations

#uk-china-relations

Donald Trump said it was "very dangerous" for the UK to do business with China, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai on the third day of his visit to the country. The US president was reacting to agreements aimed at increasing business and investment between the UK and China, announced after Sir Keir met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.

Keir Starmer has taken a major step towards rapprochement with China, opening the door to a UK visit from Xi Jinping in a move that drew immediate anger from British critics of Beijing. During the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years a period which Starmer described as an ice age he said talks with the Chinese president had left the bilateral relationship in a stronger place.

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has pledged a $15 billion investment in China by 2030, aiming to expand its medicines manufacturing and research and development capabilities. The announcement, made on Thursday during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing, marks the largest deal of his trip as Britain seeks to strengthen ties with China amid strained relations with Washington. Prime Minister Starmer welcomed the investment, stating: "AstraZeneca's expansion and leadership in China will help the British manufacturer continue to grow - supporting thousands of UK jobs."

After their meeting on Thursday, Starmer and Xi called for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. China-UK relations experienced setbacks in previous years, which were not in the interests of either country, Xi said. In the current complex and ever-changing international situation China and the UK need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to maintain world peace and stability.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

The so-called 'Cyber Dialogue' will supposedly help manage cyber threats to both country's national security, revealed Bloomberg, which was first to reported the move citing anonymous sources with knowledge of the forum, It claimed that the forum will improve communication, enable private discussions, and deescalate tensions. It also establishes a direct line between London and Beijing to enable senior officials to discuss ongoing cyber incidents.

A decision on China's proposed mega embassy in London is expected on Monday or Tuesday, with Chinese officials and British diplomats in Beijing holding their breath in anticipation of the planning application finally being approved. The saga, which has been running since 2018, is widely expected to end with the British government giving the green light for construction. If it does, one group likely to be grateful is those who work in the British embassy's dilapidated building in Beijing.

The foreign affairs select committee is drawing up plans to examine Chinese government interference in academia as part of its inquiry into the UK's strategy towards Beijing. MPs are broadening the scope of their investigation into the China audit, an internal government review of UK-China relations that concluded in June, to look into Chinese state influence at British universities. Ministers are under pressure to take a more robust approach after the Guardian disclosed

The young parliamentary researcher, then in his late 20s, was a China specialist working successively for two influential backbenchers, Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns. He had a parliamentary pass and was plugged into Westminster's gossip network during 2022, a year of Conservative turmoil in Westminster, three prime ministers and future policy uncertainty. At the same time, Cash was in close contact with a friend, Christopher Berry, a teacher based in Hangzhou, eastern China, where the Britons had first met five years earlier.

The two men were accused of gathering and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023. But on Monday at the Old Bailey, the court heard that the CPS had determined the evidence it had gathered did not meet the threshold to go to trial. The pair were due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court from 6 October.

The visit was about more than symbolism. It's about real, practical partnerships between the UK and Taiwan—two societies that value freedom, fairness and international cooperation.

The UK government is looking to revive trade dialogue with China, despite past criticisms of its investment policies in sensitive sectors like steel.