At the historic Guildhall in London, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered a speech this week that is already reverberating through the corridors of Westminster and beyond. Addressing an audience of business leaders, diplomats, and the press at the annual Lady Mayor's Banquet, Starmer tackled the thorny question of how Britain should navigate its relationship with China—a nation he described as both a "defining force in technology, trade and global governance" and a "real national security threat" to the United Kingdom.
Starmer’s remarks, delivered on the evening of December 1, 2025, and widely reported by outlets including Sky News, Reuters, and the Daily Mail, signaled a clear attempt to chart a middle course between the extremes that have characterized the UK’s approach to China over the past decade. Gone, he argued, should be the days of oscillating between a "Golden Age" of engagement and an "Ice Age" of suspicion and isolation. "We reject that binary choice," Starmer declared. "Our response will not be driven by fear, nor softened by illusion. It will be grounded in strength, clarity and sober realism."
The Prime Minister’s speech comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny over UK-China relations. Recent months have seen accusations of Chinese espionage in Parliament, controversy over Beijing’s proposed "super embassy" near the Tower of London, and the collapse of a high-profile trial involving two men accused of passing sensitive information to the Chinese government. According to the Daily Mail, the prosecution faltered after a key government witness declined to describe China as a national security threat, prompting opposition politicians to accuse Starmer’s government of prioritizing diplomatic relations over national security. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch went so far as to claim, "Labour deliberately collapsed the trial of two men accused of spying on MPs for China, because the Prime Minister wants to suck up to Beijing."
Starmer, however, was unequivocal in his assessment: "Protecting our security is non-negotiable—our first duty. But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to cooperate in other areas." He insisted that economic engagement with China should not come at the expense of British interests or safety, pushing back on critics who accuse him of being soft on Beijing. "This is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We don’t trade off security in one area, for a bit more economic access somewhere else," Starmer said, as reported by Reuters.
Yet, Starmer also made clear that disengagement is not an option for a country of the UK’s stature. "Failing to engage with the world’s second largest economy would be a dereliction of duty," he argued. He pointed to the immense scale and ambition of China, emphasizing its role as a "defining force" in the modern world. In his words: "A nation of immense scale, ambition, and ingenuity."
Starmer’s approach stands in sharp contrast to the more adversarial stance taken by some of his predecessors. He criticized the previous Conservative government’s lack of engagement with China as "a dereliction of duty," noting that while French President Emmanuel Macron and German leaders had made multiple visits to Beijing since 2018, the last British Prime Minister to visit China was Theresa May, seven years ago. Starmer, by contrast, is planning a visit to China in early 2026, following trips by several of his cabinet ministers over the past year.
The Prime Minister’s speech also touched on the broader direction of British foreign policy in the post-Brexit era. Starmer was candid about his opposition to Brexit while in the Opposition, but he stressed that the 2016 referendum result was "a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that." However, he didn’t mince words about the aftermath: "How it was sold and delivered was simply wrong. We are still dealing with the consequences today." He warned that using Brexit as a template for future foreign policy would be "utterly reckless," and took aim at politicians like Kemi Badenoch, Nigel Farage, and Zack Polanski for what he called a "corrosive, inward-looking attitude"—particularly those advocating for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights or NATO. Such positions, he said, "offer grievance rather than hope" and reflect "a declinist vision of a lesser Britain, not a Great Britain."
Instead, Starmer positioned his government as champions of internationalism, arguing that "in these times, internationalism is patriotism." He said, "We deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride, not by shrinking back." This outward-facing vision has seen the UK under Starmer pursue new deals with the US, India, and the EU, and take a leading role in supporting Ukraine as part of the so-called "coalition of the willing."
Nevertheless, Starmer’s globe-trotting has not been without its detractors. Critics—including some within the Conservative Party—have accused him of spending too much time on the international stage and not enough addressing domestic concerns. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel was especially scathing, telling Sky News: "Starmer continues to kowtow to China and is captivated by half-baked promises of trade. Coming just days after the latest Chinese plot to interfere in our democracy was exposed, his love letter to the Chinese Communist Party is a desperate ploy to generate economic growth following his budget of lies and is completely ill-judged."
Amid the political crossfire, Starmer’s message to British business was clear: the government will back efforts to seize "huge" export opportunities in sectors like financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. "Great British success stories—the export opportunities are huge, and we will back you to seize them," he said, echoing the optimism that has characterized his pitch to the business community since taking office.
Still, the shadow of the controversial Chinese "super embassy" looms large. A final decision on the planning application for the embassy, slated for a site near the Tower of London, is expected on December 10. The project has faced repeated delays and scrutiny, especially after Beijing’s initial application included blacked-out areas, raising eyebrows among security officials and politicians alike.
As the UK stands at a crossroads in its relationship with China, Starmer’s speech at the Guildhall marked a decisive attempt to set a new tone—one that seeks to balance vigilance with engagement, national security with economic opportunity, and internationalism with patriotism. The coming months, especially as the government weighs the fate of the "super embassy" and prepares for a high-level visit to Beijing, will put this strategy to the test in ways that could define Britain’s place in the world for years to come.
For now, the debate over how to handle China—and what it means for Britain’s future—shows no sign of cooling down.
