LONDON: The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron, declared that the UK will continue engaging with China, emphasizing the pursuit of their national interests. Lord Cameron expressed this commitment following a conversation with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, on Tuesday.
In his tweet, the former UK Prime Minister and current foreign secretary, David Cameron outlined the topics discussed during the conversation, including the shared objective of fostering a “constructive” relationship between the UK and China.
The Foreign Secretary, who presided over what was dubbed the “golden era” of relations between the two nations during his tenure, acknowledged the evolving dynamics in global relations since he left office in 2016.
I spoke to China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi today.
We discussed our intention to have a constructive relationship, the situation in Israel and Gaza, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
The UK will continue to engage with China where it furthers our interests.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 5, 2023
UK to Continue Engagement with China
The diplomatic landscape between the West and China has witnessed significant changes in recent years, with David Cameron acknowledging the challenges posed by China’s more assertive stance on the international stage. Despite this, he stressed the importance of the UK maintaining engagement with China in areas that align with British interests.
The tweet read: “I spoke to China’s foreign minister Wang Yi today. We discussed our intention to have a constructive relationship, the situation in Israel and Gaza, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. The UK will continue to engage with China where it furthers our interests.”
While David Cameron’s return to the political scene has raised questions about whether the UK will uphold the previous approach towards China, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has signaled a departure from what he termed the “naive” pursuit of closer economic ties. Some Conservative MPs have urged Sunak to take a stronger stance on China, even considering it a “threat.”
