Keir Starmer in China: UK PM's First Visit in Eight Years to Stabilize Frayed Ties

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on the first visit by a British leader to China in eight years, aiming to stabilize a turbulent relationship.
• The visit seeks to balance boosting economic ties and reviving communication channels with addressing security concerns that have dominated Britain's approach.
• Relations deteriorated significantly after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, leading to human rights concerns and economic decline.
• Security concerns were amplified by the Huawei controversy, leading to the UK banning Huawei from its 5G networks.
• Starmer's visit, accompanied by business and cultural leaders, aims for "managed re-engagement" rather than a return to the "golden era," with modest concrete outcomes expected.

Why It Matters: Keir Starmer's China visit marks a cautious effort to stabilize UK-China relations amidst economic and security challenges.