Overview
The United Kingdom has attempted a fresh approach to China, which Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer identified as one of the three ‘global giants’ of the present world order (alongside the EU and the USA). In his Guildhall speech, given in the City of London on 1 December 2025, the Prime Minister described China as 'a nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity. A defining force in technology, in trade and global governance'.
Acknowledging that China poses threats to UK national security, the Prime Minister hoped that having taken steps to keep us secure, we would be enabled to cooperate in other areas, including stability in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, nuclear proliferation and the use of AI in weapons systems, climate change and global health.
Nearly three months on from Prime Minister Starmer’s Guildhall speech, we invite you to join us for an audit of this approach to UK-China relations. Has Sir Keir Starmer struck the right balance? Has he been proven right that China can accept ‘tough’ security conditions, and remain open to cooperation with Britain? How does this approach sit with our allies and friends, who have their own perspectives and strategies towards Beijing?
The panellists will consider how Sir Keir Starmer’s approach has fared. Is it the best the UK can do, or are there alternative paths not taken?
Panellists
- Isabel Hilton OBE, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow and Founder, The China Dialogue Trust.
- Charles Parton OBE, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow and former UK diplomat.
The webinar will be moderated by Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security, RUSI.
Joining Instructions
This event is online-only and is open to all RUSI members. If you have any questions regarding this event, please email [email protected].
On registering to attend, you will be sent a confirmation email containing your personal Zoom link to join the event.
