In a significant diplomatic development, China has officially removed travel restrictions that previously barred several British parliamentarians from entering the country. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the move during his current state visit to China, marking a notable shift in bilateral relations.
Diplomatic Breakthrough Announced During High-Level Talks
Speaking exclusively to Sky News political editor Beth Rigby, the Prime Minister revealed that Chinese authorities have lifted all remaining sanctions against UK parliamentarians. Sir Keir described the previous restrictions as having been "a real cause for concern across parliament" and confirmed he had raised the matter directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their discussions.
"As a result of our discussions, it's clear from the Chinese that the restrictions no longer apply," Sir Keir stated. "President Xi confirmed that this means all parliamentarians are now free to travel to China without impediment."
Background to the Sanctions and Affected Parliamentarians
The original sanctions were imposed by China in 2021 against five Conservative MPs and two members of the House of Lords. This action was widely interpreted as retaliatory measures following sanctions placed by the UK and other Western nations on several Chinese officials. Those sanctions were connected to reports concerning human rights violations in China's Xinjiang region.
The affected individuals were prohibited from entering China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The sanctioned parliamentarians included:
- Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith
- Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani
- Conservative MP Neil O'Brien
- Former security minister Tom Tugendhat
- Former MP Tim Loughton, who stood down at the 2024 general election
- Labour peer and human rights barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy
- Crossbench peer Lord David Alton
All seven parliamentarians have been vocal critics of China's human rights record and policies.
UK Maintains Existing Sanctions on Chinese Officials
Despite China's unilateral lifting of travel bans, British government sources confirm that the UK will not be reciprocating by removing its sanctions against Chinese officials. This creates an asymmetrical diplomatic outcome where British parliamentarians regain travel access to China while UK sanctions against Chinese individuals remain firmly in place.
Parliamentarians' Response and Ethical Considerations
In a statement released on Friday morning, prior to the official announcement, the seven affected parliamentarians expressed strong reservations about any potential deal involving their sanctions status. They collectively stated: "We would rather remain under sanction indefinitely than have our status used as a bargaining chip to justify lifting British sanctions on those officials responsible for the genocide in Xinjiang."
They further emphasized: "We would reject any deal that prioritises our personal convenience over the pursuit of justice for the Uyghur people." This statement highlights the complex ethical considerations surrounding diplomatic negotiations involving human rights issues.
Prime Minister Defends Diplomatic Engagement Strategy
Responding to criticism about his decision to visit China given the country's human rights record, Sir Keir Starmer defended his diplomatic approach. He argued that direct engagement was necessary to achieve concrete results that would not have been possible through diplomatic distance.
"That's something that couldn't have happened if we weren't here, having the leader-to-leader exchange," the Prime Minister explained. "It doesn't happen if you stick your head in the sand. Sometimes difficult conversations are necessary to achieve progress, even when fundamental disagreements remain."
The Prime Minister's comments reflect a pragmatic approach to international relations that prioritizes engagement over isolation, even when dealing with nations where significant policy differences exist.
Broader Implications for UK-China Relations
This development represents a notable thaw in diplomatic tensions between London and Beijing, though fundamental disagreements on human rights and other issues persist. The lifting of travel restrictions removes a practical barrier to parliamentary engagement while maintaining the UK's principled position through its continued sanctions against Chinese officials.
The situation illustrates the complex balancing act modern diplomacy requires - pursuing practical improvements in bilateral relations while maintaining ethical positions on fundamental issues of human rights and international law.
