Eight years after a British prime minister and foreign secretary made back-to-back visits to China, the Keir Starmer government is once again trying to reset relations with Beijing after a long period described by Starmer as an "ice age." Prime Minister Starmer went to Beijing in January, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is currently on a three-day visit.

Cooper has called for joint action on global challenges including conflicts in Iran and Ukraine and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, emphasizing the importance of a "rules-based international order."

Analysts say Western nations like the UK need China more than ever due to dependence on Chinese production of advanced goods such as semiconductors and medical instruments. John Minnich of the London School of Economics noted that this dependence is growing daily.

Starmer's January visit laid groundwork for deeper economic engagement, including a $15 billion investment by AstraZeneca and visa-free travel for Britons. Cooper is expected to visit Shenzhen to discuss trade links and the future of AI.

However, tensions remain over Chinese espionage and support for Russia in Ukraine. The British delegation reportedly used "burner" phones for security. Experts note fundamental differences in systems and values persist, but both sides see benefits in cooperation.

Source: www.aljazeera.com