Keir Starmer defends chasing closer ties with China

Sir Keir Starmer today defended his efforts to deepen ties with China's Xi Jinping as he said boosting economic growth was his 'number one mission'.

The Prime Minister met with the Chinese President at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday as they discussed improving UK-China links.

But the Labour premier has come under pressure over the talks as they came just hours before dozens of pro-democracy activists were jailed in Hong Kong.

A total of 45 people were jailed by Hong Kong's High Court for up to 10 years after a trial under a controversial national security law imposed on the territory by China.

They were among a group known as the 'Hong Kong 47' who were arrested and charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion ahead of a general election.

Two of the 47 were previously acquitted after a 118-day trial. The prosecution has been widely criticised as politically motivated.

One of those jailed said their 'true crime' was that 'we were not content with playing along in manipulated elections'.

'We dared to confront the regime with the question: will democracy ever be possible within such a structure?,' activist Gwyneth Ho added.

'The answer was a complete crackdown on all fronts of society.'  

Asked whether now was the right time to be sharing warm words with China given the jailing of Hong Kong activists, Sir Keir said it's 'always important to get the balance right'.

Speaking to the BBC in Rio, the PM added: 'China is the second biggest economy in the world and it is important, therefore, we do have a pragmatic relationship.

'But, at the same time, it is important that where we disagree, we're open about that and talk about our disagreements, as we did yesterday.

'But I'm driven by the fact that economic growth, getting our economy working properly so people feel better off, is the number one mission of this Government.

'And that's why a pragmatic, serious relationship is the right relationship to have with China.'

During his meeting with Mr Xi, Sir Keir said Britain wanted to 'engage honestly and frankly' with China 'on those areas where we have different perspectives'.

This included on Hong Kong, Beijing's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and China's human rights record, Downing Street said.

But Sir Keir also used the talks with Mr Xi to discuss 'deepening' the UK and China's relationship on 'trade and investment, health, education and other areas of mutual interest', according to No10.

Mark Sabah, of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, told MailOnline it was 'not uncommon for Western governments to be treated with two faces by China'.

He said that Mr Xi, if he wished to, could have told the Hong Kong court to release the pro-democracy activists without a prison sentence.

'Instead they all got between four to 10 years,' he added. 'They've sent a message to any future generation of Hong Kongers 'don't mess with the authorities, we don't care about your rights'.'

Mr Sabah said China could make its 'political headache' over Hong Kong 'go away' by releasing jailed pro-democracy campaigners, but admitted 'that's not in the nature of the Chinese Communist Party'.

He added he was 'delighted' that Sir Keir raised the case of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and Hong Kong media tycoon facing a possible life sentence, during his talks with Mr Xi.

But he noted how footage appeared to show journalists being shepherded out of the room where Sir Keir and the Chinese premier were meeting as soon as Mr Lai's case was raised.

'Why is Chinese security telling British journalists to leave the room? Why are the Chinese security in charge? What the hell is that?,' Mr Sabah said.

Foreign Office minister Anneliese Dodds, responding to an urgent question in the House of Commons this afternoon, condemned the jailing of 45 pro-democracy activists.

She told MPs: 'We have been crystal clear in our view of yesterday's sentencing.

'I will repeat that it was a clear demonstration of the Hong Kong authorities' use of the NSL (national security law) to criminalise political dissent.'

Tory shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel suggested Labour ministers need to 'raise their game' when dealing with China.

She told the Commons: 'The jailing of 45 pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong under the draconian national security law is appalling.

'It's a serious blow to the freedoms in Hong Kong. The harsh application of this disturbing law to suppress people in Hong Kong cannot go unanswered.'

Dame Priti added: 'Yesterday the PM met President Xi and said he wanted a respectful relationship, a relationship where both countries try to avoid surprises.

'He even confirmed he had called-in the application for the new Chinese embassy.

'But less than 24 hours later the Sino-British declaration has been trampled on yet again with this sentencing of 45 pro-democracy campaigners.

'Where does this leave the Government's reset with Beijing? Did the PM actually secure any commitments on Hong Kong yesterday?

'Will the PM now be holding further conversations with President Xi to convey his concerns about this appalling jailing?'

Labour MP Blair McDougall, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong said: 'This court case is a fresh and clear indicator that the Chinese authorities want to stifle all opposition in Hong Kong, regardless of form or shape.

'It also shows that China has dropped all pretence of respecting Hong Kong's freedom, democracy, and autonomy, as it promised to do so under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.

'As a fellow parliamentarian, the idea that participating in a primary election and expressing my peaceful political views could be considered an act of subversion and land me jail time is utterly absurd and unacceptable.

'Widely supported by Hongkongers, the primary election offered a peaceful pathway for political change within Beijing's own rules.

'There is no justification for cracking down on its participants other than the fact that the people's will hurts their unpopular rule.

'British parliamentarians remain determined to support Hongkongers in their fight for freedom, and we will continue to call out the Chinese Communist Party's political oppression against them.

'The bilateral relationship between the UK and Hong Kong and China must be contingent upon adherence to human rights and treaty commitments set out in the Joint Declaration.'

A No10 spokeswoman said Britain would 'always stand up for the people of Hong Kong' and suggested the UK was given no advance notice of the court decision.

Asked if it was a 'kick in the teeth' for the PM after the talks yesterday, she replied: 'The PM has been engaging pragmatically (and) was able to raise concerns directly. 

'We believe there are benefits to that. Our position in relation to Hong Kong has been clear for some time, we will raise our concerns at all levels and by engaging with the Chinese. The PM was able to do that at the very highest level yesterday.

'We believe there are clear benefits to doing that and our approach will be serious and pragmatic so we can work together in areas of shared interest.

'But also retain the ability to raise concerns personally and directly where we believe that is important. In relation to Hong Kong, the PM did so given its importance.'