China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is set to visit the UK next month for talks with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, marking the first UK-China strategic dialogue since 2018. The Foreign Office (FCDO) has confirmed plans for the visit in mid-February, though it declined to provide further details. Wang is also to attend the Munich Security Conference between 14 and 16 February and his UK visit is likely to be held either before or after this conference.
The visit is politically sensitive as it takes place at the time of an inquiry into the local authority in East London against China’s contentious proposal to erect a large embassy. The Chinese Government is planning to develop a site of about 20,000 square meters at Royal Mint Court, close to the Tower of London, to become Europe’s largest embassy. It has come under opposition, including a rejection for planning permission by Tower Hamlets Council in 2022 owing to security concerns and opposition from the locals. More recently, the new Labour government has been much more favourable to the project. Chinese President Xi Jinping personally brought up the subject with the first UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their initial call in July.
At the same time, the visit speaks to bilateral talks that went dark during the pandemic, In July and then again last month in Beijing, Wang met Lammy once previously. Among several working levels lined up this visit is where senior officials begin arranging for China this year when Britain’s business secretary Jonathan Reynolds arrives in town – with resumed bilateral trade negotiations the expected event.
The two governments are now keen to build on the ties and find common ground on the issues that matter most.
