UK MPs and Peers Lose China Sanctions in Historic Sign of Warming Relations
A significant shift in relations between China and the UK has seen the lifting of sanctions imposed on six serving British parliamentarians. The move comes after Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, travelled to Beijing for landmark talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The lifting of sanctions marks a substantial improvement in ties between the two nations, following a period marked by strained relations.
In 2021, China imposed sanctions on nine UK citizens, including five Conservative MPs and two members of the House of Lords, in response to criticism over human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur community. The move was seen as a tit-for-tat response to the UK's imposition of sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for atrocities in Xinjiang.
However, China has now lifted these sanctions with immediate effect, paving the way for a potential thaw in relations between the two nations. Starmer confirmed this during broadcast interviews in China, stating that President Xi had assured him that all parliamentarians are welcome to visit Beijing. The move is seen as a significant step forward in warming relations and could pave the way for increased diplomatic engagement.
Despite the lifting of sanctions, the affected MPs and peers have stated that they will continue to speak out against human rights abuses targeting the Uyghur Muslim community. They also expressed concerns that the selective lifting of sanctions solely on sitting parliamentarians is wrong and may be seen as a bargaining chip.
Notably, several parliamentarians who were sanctioned remain under restrictions, including academics and former politicians. These individuals are still banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and any property they have in China has been frozen. Chinese citizens and institutions are also prohibited from doing business with them.
Starmer's visit to Beijing has opened the door for Xi Jinping to visit the UK next year when it hosts the G20 summit. The Labour leader suggested that Xi would be welcome in the UK during this event, further solidifying the positive tone of their talks.
The lifting of sanctions comes as part of China's charm offensive to improve ties with Brussels and revive trade talks. In April, Beijing lifted sanctions on five MEPs and the European parliament's subcommittee on human rights, marking another significant shift in relations between the EU and China.
Overall, the lifting of sanctions on UK parliamentarians marks a substantial improvement in relations between China and the UK, following a period marked by strained ties. The move is seen as a positive step forward for diplomatic engagement between the two nations and could pave the way for increased cooperation in areas such as trade and human rights.
A significant shift in relations between China and the UK has seen the lifting of sanctions imposed on six serving British parliamentarians. The move comes after Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, travelled to Beijing for landmark talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The lifting of sanctions marks a substantial improvement in ties between the two nations, following a period marked by strained relations.
In 2021, China imposed sanctions on nine UK citizens, including five Conservative MPs and two members of the House of Lords, in response to criticism over human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur community. The move was seen as a tit-for-tat response to the UK's imposition of sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for atrocities in Xinjiang.
However, China has now lifted these sanctions with immediate effect, paving the way for a potential thaw in relations between the two nations. Starmer confirmed this during broadcast interviews in China, stating that President Xi had assured him that all parliamentarians are welcome to visit Beijing. The move is seen as a significant step forward in warming relations and could pave the way for increased diplomatic engagement.
Despite the lifting of sanctions, the affected MPs and peers have stated that they will continue to speak out against human rights abuses targeting the Uyghur Muslim community. They also expressed concerns that the selective lifting of sanctions solely on sitting parliamentarians is wrong and may be seen as a bargaining chip.
Notably, several parliamentarians who were sanctioned remain under restrictions, including academics and former politicians. These individuals are still banned from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and any property they have in China has been frozen. Chinese citizens and institutions are also prohibited from doing business with them.
Starmer's visit to Beijing has opened the door for Xi Jinping to visit the UK next year when it hosts the G20 summit. The Labour leader suggested that Xi would be welcome in the UK during this event, further solidifying the positive tone of their talks.
The lifting of sanctions comes as part of China's charm offensive to improve ties with Brussels and revive trade talks. In April, Beijing lifted sanctions on five MEPs and the European parliament's subcommittee on human rights, marking another significant shift in relations between the EU and China.
Overall, the lifting of sanctions on UK parliamentarians marks a substantial improvement in relations between China and the UK, following a period marked by strained ties. The move is seen as a positive step forward for diplomatic engagement between the two nations and could pave the way for increased cooperation in areas such as trade and human rights.
I mean, who wouldn't want to visit China after being sanctioned?! 
It's like they're finally starting to play nice! But seriously, it's a big deal that they lifted the sanctions on all these MPs and peers... except for the ones who are still banned from entering China, of course. 
Still, I'm glad Keir Starmer was able to smooth things over and get Xi Jinping on good terms. And now we might see a lot more trade and diplomacy between the two countries! Fingers crossed that it leads to some real change for those Uyghur Muslims... they deserve our support! 
just saw that UK MPs and Peers are getting lifted off china sanctions lol it's like they're riding the wave of warming relations 
keir starmer's visit to beijing was a major key move, now xi jinping might even come to london next year 
can't wait for the g20 summit 
gotta say, selective lifting of sanctions is shady though 
some ppl still banned from china, that's just low 
anyway, it's a positive step forward for diplomacy and trade 
, now where's the bar? China lifting sanctions on UK parliamentarians means relations are getting warmer... or should I say, less chilly 
. It's like they're saying, 'Hey, we forgive you for criticizing our human rights record, now come visit us and let's make nice 
. It's a big deal, but I'm more excited about the free food at the G20 summit next year 
.
. It seems like it was just a tit-for-tat thing, which isn't really how diplomacy works, right? 
Anyway, if it means more trade and cooperation between the UK and China, then that's gotta be a good thing 
even if sanctions got lifted
but whats the real motive here? is this just a PR stunt to boost relations before xi jinping comes to the uk next year? and what about all those other people still banned from china? they're not exactly getting a free pass, are they? 
! It's like, we've been living in these tense times with China and the UK, and now it seems like they're finally taking steps to mend their fences. I mean, sanctions are a big deal, right? So when you see them lifting those on six MPs and peers, it feels like progress is being made. But at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about this selective approach - shouldn't we be speaking out against human rights abuses everywhere, not just because our politicians are allowed to visit China? 
, it's been ages since we've had any progress on that front, now these sanctions are lifted, maybe we can actually see some real change happen 
. but at the same time, i'm a bit worried about the selectivity of this move, only those sitting MPs and peers get to visit beijing, what about all the others who were sanctioned? seems like a bit of a double standard to me 
. still, can't deny that keir starmer's visit did seem to do its job, got the chinese president on the phone and now we're seein' some real movement 
. anyway, fingers crossed this is just the start of somethin positive 
, maybe that's why they lifted the sanctions 
but for now, lets just enjoy the fact that some consies can finally travel to china without getting banned 
. I'm a bit curious about what Starmer actually talked about with Xi Jinping during those talks though 
...