China poses ‘a nationwide safety risk to the UK’, Sir Keir Starmer warns
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that China still poses a ‘national security threat’ to the UK, despite his government’s attempts to thaw relations with Beijing.
In his annual Guildhall speech on foreign policy, the Prime Minister argued that failing to engage with the world’s second largest economy was ‘a dereliction of duty’.
He also rejected the notion of a ‘binary choice’ between the ‘golden age’ of engagement with China under David Cameron and the ‘ice age’ under more recent Conservative prime ministers.
But Sir Keir said: ‘[China] is a nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity. A defining force in technology, trade and global governance.
‘At the same time, it also poses to the UK.’
He added: ‘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.
‘Protecting our security is non-negotiable – our first duty. But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to co-operate in other areas.’
Sir Keir has faced heightened criticism of his approach to UK-Chinese relations in the wake of the Westminster spy case that collapsed earlier this year.
Sir Keir Starmer speaking during the annual Lady Mayor’s Banquet at the Guildhall in central London.
Pictured: Christopher Berry (left) and former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash
Sir Keir and Lady Mayor of the City of London Dame Susan Langley attend the annual Lady Mayor’s Banquet
Christopher Cash, 30, and Christopher Berry, 33, were accused of passing sensitive intelligence from Parliament onto the Chinese government.
The prosecution of the pair, who both denied any wrongdoing, was halted after the Government’s key witness refused to describe China as a threat to UK national security
This triggered a row over whether the Government had deliberately undermined the case to preserve relations with China – a claim ministers firmly rejected.
In his speech on Monday, Sir Keir added: ‘We’re absolutely clear that when it comes, for example, to defence, AI or our critical national infrastructure, we will always protect our security and our economic interests.
‘But we’re also clear that in areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to win these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigations in place.’
Sir Keir Starmer also said that Britain must not shrink back from a ‘chaotic world as he underlined his commitment to internationalism.
The Prime Minister accused opposition politicians of offering a ‘corrosive, inward-looking attitude’ on international affairs.
Taking aim at those who advocate leaving the European Convention on Human Rights or Nato, he said they offered ‘grievance rather than hope’ and ‘a declinist vision of a lesser Britain’.
Sir Keir said: ‘Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment, ducking the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world – a world which is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation, where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.’
He added: ‘In these times, we deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride, not by shrinking back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.’
Since coming to power last year, Sir Keir has been active on the world stage, trumpeting deals with the US, India and the EU and leading the ‘coalition of the willing’ in support of Ukraine.
But he has also faced criticism from his opponents, who accuse him of spending too much time out of the country attending international summits rather than focusing on domestic issues.
