Talk of a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the UK has sparked fresh controversy in Westminster.
The issue escalated after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent trip to Beijing, his first as a British premier in eight years, which was seen by critics as a charm offensive with few concrete results.
While Downing Street hinted that Xi could come to the UK, MPs have warned that any such visit would be highly problematic, especially given that several members of Parliament remain sanctioned by China for speaking out on human rights abuses and industrial espionage.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle Draws a Firm Line
Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle has made it clear that Xi would not be allowed to address Parliament if he comes to the UK.
“I’m the guardian of MPs. I’m there to protect them from sanctions. It would be wrong to let Xi into their workplace while these sanctions are in place,” Hoyle told The Times.
The last time Xi visited Britain was a decade ago under David Cameron, during what was considered a “golden era” of UK-China relations.
Since then, ties have cooled significantly, making Starmer’s attempt at a diplomatic “reset” a tricky balancing act.
Limited Gains from Beijing Trip
Critics argue that the PM’s recent Beijing trip delivered only minor wins.
Duties on Scotch whisky will be reduced, and short-term visa-free travel to China will be introduced for UK citizens—a benefit that 50 other countries, including France and Germany, already enjoy.
Questions remain about Starmer’s ability to influence China on critical issues, including the release of Jimmy Lai, the jailed Hong Kong democracy activist, and the lifting of sanctions on UK MPs and peers who have criticized Beijing.
Talks on Ukraine were also unfruitful, with no signs that Xi intends to scale back his support for Russia.
Rising International and Domestic Concerns
Starmer’s cozying up to Beijing has also drawn attention across the Atlantic.
When asked about the PM’s efforts at a premiere for a documentary about Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump warned, “Well, it’s very dangerous for them to do that.”
Domestically, the specter of Chinese intelligence operations looms large.
There are lingering concerns about Beijing attempting to infiltrate Parliament and reportedly hacking aides’ phones to former Tory prime ministers.
Downing Street has remained tight-lipped about whether these sensitive topics were raised during the talks.
Government Ministers Express Unease
Trade Minister Chris Bryant expressed caution during interviews on Sky News, highlighting the tension between government unity and addressing serious security concerns.
“I’m a government minister… of course we take all those issues that you just raised extremely seriously, and I’m sure that they would factor into any discussions,” he said, signaling unease over the potential visit.
As the debate heats up, Westminster is left questioning how the UK can balance diplomatic engagement with China while protecting MPs and addressing human rights and security concerns.
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