Despite Starmer’s ‘China threat’ rhetoric, Britain seeks tighter ties with Beijing

There are things that both sides find it important to say in public. But I think it does not affect the ongoing substance of the [bilateral] dialogue,” said Andrew Cainey, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. “The UK’s balanced approach towards China has been there for a while. What has not been there is the consistent execution through meetings, engagement, and through specific guidance to companies and universities on how to work productively and securely with China.”