London must find a way to align interests with new global order

UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy paid an official visit to China from Friday to Saturday, the first visit by a senior UK official since the Labour Party took power in July.

The visit attracted widespread attention, especially as it marked the reengagement between the two countries after several years of tensions.

In 2015, the two nations' leaders jointly announced that Sino-British relations had entered a "golden era", and the United Kingdom even became the first Western country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

However, since 2019, relations between the two countries have hit a low, especially during the fag end of the Tory rule.

By sending a Cabinet member to China within three months of taking office, the UK Labour government has demonstrated its pragmatism in handling relations with China. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made it clear that the UK will maintain dialogue with China while protecting national interests. Although the new Labour government faces pressure from British allies and domestic conservatives, it may still adopt a pragmatic diplomatic stance based on the UK's economic interests and common interests on global issues.

Lammy's visit to China involved talks on the green economy, technology security, and broader international and regional security topics. He also visited Shanghai to meet British businesspeople and corporate representatives to promote further development of Sino-British commercial relations. The initiative will not only help restore economic and trade ties between China and the UK but also is in line with the UK public's call for economically pragmatic policies.

Despite the diplomatic pressure exerted by the United States on the UK, cooperation is a common need for both China and the UK. Through continuous dialogue and coordination with China, the UK is expected to explore a diplomatic path that aligns with its own interests in the new international environment.

- Zhang Zhouxiang, China Daily