Starmer warns China poses national security threats but backs deeper engagement

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that China poses “national security threats” to Britain, even as he defended his government’s efforts to deepen engagement with Beijing, saying stronger business ties are in the national interest.

Starmer’s Labour government has prioritised stabilising relations with China, though tensions remain over British accusations of Chinese spying.

In one of his clearest explanations of his approach, Starmer told business leaders on Monday that the UK’s relationship with China had for too long “blown hot and cold”.

Starmer urges ‘serious approach’ to China

Britain’s stance on China has shifted sharply over the past decade — from the so-called “golden era”, when London sought to be Beijing’s strongest partner in Europe, to a much more confrontational posture.

“It’s time for a serious approach, to reject the simplistic binary choice, neither golden age nor ice age, and recognise the plain fact that you can work and trade with a country while still protecting yourself,” Starmer said.

His choice to publicly state that China poses “national security threats” follows the collapse of a spying trial in September, after prosecutors noted the government had not previously used such terminology.

The Chinese embassy in London criticised what it called Starmer’s “groundless accusations” about Beijing.

Starmer also accused the former Conservative government of letting the relationship deteriorate, calling it a “dereliction of duty”. He pointed out that since 2018, Emmanuel Macron has visited China twice and German leaders four times, while no British prime minister has travelled there since Theresa May in 2018.

PM preparing for China visit in 2026, say sources

Sources say Starmer is preparing to visit China next year, following visits by several cabinet ministers since Labour’s election victory.

Rejecting the notion of trading security concerns for economic benefits, Starmer said his government would not compromise Britain’s safety.

“Protecting our security is non-negotiable – our first duty,” he said. “But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to cooperate in other areas.”

Support for business ties where security risks are low

Starmer said he would encourage British businesses to expand ties with China in sectors where security risks are limited.

“In areas like financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods and more – great British success stories – the export opportunities are huge and we will back you to seize them,” he said.