UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has embarked on a significant visit to China, aiming to strengthen economic ties and enhance trade relations between the two nations. This trip marks the first official visit by a UK Chancellor to China in nearly a decade.

During her visit, Reeves is set to meet with high-ranking Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng, to revive the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, which has been suspended since 2019. The discussions are expected to focus on financial services, trade cooperation, and joint efforts to address climate change.

Reeves emphasized the importance of "pragmatic and predictable" relations with China to boost economic growth and trade. She stated, "Growth is the number one mission of this Labour government. And to grow the economy, we need to help great British businesses export around the world."

Accompanied by business leaders from various sectors, including representatives from HSBC and Jaguar Land Rover, Reeves aims to facilitate greater access to Chinese markets for UK businesses. The delegation seeks to rejuvenate collaboration between the London and Shanghai stock exchanges, highlighting financial services as a pivotal aspect of UK-China economic relations.

However, the visit has attracted criticism from some quarters. Labour MPs have urged Reeves to address human rights concerns, particularly calling for the release of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Additionally, there are concerns about the UK's engagement with China amid rising borrowing costs and economic challenges at home.

Despite these challenges, Reeves maintains that engaging with China is essential for the UK's economic growth. She noted that China is the UK's fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for goods and services trade worth almost £113 billion. Reeves' visit underscores the UK's commitment to fostering a balanced relationship with China, seeking mutual economic benefits while addressing critical issues of national and global importance.