China’s top diplomat Wang Yi to visit Britain for talks with David Lammy

They will hold strategic dialogue for the first time since 2018, as Labour government seeks to improve ties with Beijing

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Britain, Ireland and Germany this week. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:31pm, 10 Feb 2025Updated: 7:49pm, 10 Feb 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Britain on Wednesday for talks that have not been held since 2018, amid thawing ties between the two nations.

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the trip on Monday, saying Wang would co-chair the China-UK Strategic Dialogue with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The visit follows Lammy’s trip to Beijing in October, and a visit by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to Beijing and Shanghai last month as Britain’s Labour government seeks to improve ties with China.

In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping also met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Starmer pledged during those talks to be “a predictable and pragmatic partner”. He said his approach would be rooted in Britain’s national interest but that he wanted to deepen the trade relationship between the two countries.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also plans to travel to Beijing later this year to resume the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission.