China In Context
China In Context
SOAS China Institute
China and Britain — Thawing ties, underlying tensions
41 minutes Posted Feb 3, 2026 at 3:00 pm.
Marker 17
Marker 74
Marker 75
Marker 77
Marker 19
Marker 20
Marker 21
Marker 22
Marker 78
Marker 23
Marker 24
Marker 24
Marker 25
Marker 79
Marker 26
Marker 80
Marker 27
Marker 81
Marker 81
Marker 28
Marker 29
Marker 28
Marker 31
Marker 32
Marker 82
Marker 30
Marker 34
Marker 33
Marker 35
Marker 83
Marker 36
Marker 37
Marker 38
Marker 39
Marker 40
Marker 85
Marker 84
Marker 41
Marker 42
Marker 86
Marker 43
Marker 45
Marker 44
Marker 46
Marker 47
Marker 87
Marker 48
Marker 48
Marker 49
Marker 88
Marker 51
Marker 52
Marker 53
Marker 55
Marker 50
Marker 50
Marker 56
Marker 56
Marker 57
Marker 58
Marker 59
Marker 60
Marker 54
Marker 61
Marker 54
Marker 89
Marker 62
Marker 64
Marker 63
Marker 65
Marker 66
Marker 67
Marker 5
Marker 4
Marker 68
Marker 8
Marker 69
Marker 9
Marker 10
Marker 10
Marker 70
Marker 11
0:00
41:59
Download MP3
Show notes
Sir Keir Starmer described his recent trip to China as a chance to end the ‘ice age’ in the two countries’ ties and build a more ‘sophisticated’ relationship. But despite the announcement of visa free-travel to China for British visitors, and the lifting of sanctions on six British MPs and peers, Starmer has been criticised by political opponents for failing to secure the release of publisher and British citizen Jimmy Lai, recently found guilty of sedition and national security offences in Ho...