Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that China presents national-security threats to the United Kingdom, while defending his government’s decision to deepen economic engagement with Beijing in sectors where strategic risks are limited.

Speaking to business leaders in London’s financial district, he said Britain’s approach toward China had swung too sharply between enthusiasm and hostility over the past decade, and called for a stable, pragmatic framework that strengthens security while opening the door to broader trade.

Starmer said it was a plain reality that a country could be a source of security concerns while remaining an essential global economic partner.

He criticised previous governments for allowing diplomatic ties with China to stagnate, arguing that a failure to engage had weakened the UK’s influence at a crucial geopolitical moment.

He pointed out that European leaders had made repeated high-level visits to Beijing since 2018, while Britain had not sent a prime minister there in the same period.

The prime minister emphasised that protecting national security remained non-negotiable and would not be traded away for economic benefit.

However, he said that in sectors such as financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods, there was no significant strategic risk and substantial export opportunities existed.

His government intends to support British firms pursuing those prospects, reflecting a wider push to stabilise ties and ensure the UK is competitively positioned in Asia’s major markets.

Starmer is expected to visit China next year as part of a renewed diplomatic effort, following recent trips by several senior cabinet ministers.

He said deeper dialogue was essential to managing the complexities of the UK–China relationship, arguing that vigorous security measures ultimately put Britain in a stronger position to cooperate in areas that benefit national prosperity.