Diplomatic exchanges between China and the UK have been gaining momentum since the Labour government took office in July 2024, with a series of high-level meetings signalling a reassessment of bilateral ties.
From UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Beijing in October 2024 to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's meeting with President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the G20 in Brazil in November last year, the interactions suggest both sides are exploring ways to rebuild engagement - albeit carefully and cautiously.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is now set to visit the UK, marking the first China-UK Strategic Dialogue in seven years.
The visit comes as Labour "audits" the UK's foreign policy stance, striking a balance between engagement and strategic caution.
Diplomatic momentum under Labour
When UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in October 2024, he spoke of the potential for "mutually beneficial cooperation", while acknowledging areas where the two sides have "different perspectives."
Wang, in turn, described China-UK relations as "a new starting point", calling for deeper strategic communication and the restart of key bilateral mechanisms.
A month later, the most high-profile exchange under Labour so far took place - Chinese President Xi Jinping met UK Prime Minister on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil.
It was the first direct meeting between a British prime minister and a Chinese leader in six years. The discussion underscored both nations' interest in maintaining a stable relationship, with Xi expressing hopes for "new prospects" in bilateral ties, while Starmer called for relations that are "consistent, durable, and respectable."