Sources say that the British Foreign Minister plans to visit China early in June.

Three sources have confirmed that British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper will visit China early in June. London is looking to capitalize on the relatively good relations with Beijing, before there's a new setback due to a?new Chinese embassy? in London.

One source said that Cooper's trip to China on June 2-3 will include meetings in Shenzhen, the tech hub in the south of the country, with businesspeople and a visit to Beijing to meet with Wang Yi.

Two British officials stated that briefings were being prepared based on the assumption that even if a leadership race was held to remove British Prime Minister Keir starmer, it would take several weeks or months, and Cooper would still likely travel.

Cooper, who held two of Britain's Great Offices of State, including Interior Minister and Home Secretary, between 2024 and 2025, is not currently a frontrunner to be Labour leader.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, confirmed the visit by saying "China is ready to maintain close dialogue and contact with the UK". He stated that he had no information to share at this time.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of Britain did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Starmer and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping declared a "reset", in ties, during a visit to China in January, after the British Government approved plans for Beijing's?largest embassy to be built in Europe, in London. This approval paved the way for lifting Chinese sanctions against six serving legislators.

Beijing is buzzing with diplomacy. U.S. president Donald Trump ended a state trip a week ahead of the arrival of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

BRIEF WINDOW of OPPORTUNITY

China and the UK want to continue high-level commercial and financial talks in the coming year. The Starmer government is prioritising efforts for attracting fresh investment from the second largest economy of the world, while China seeks to improve market access to offset the sluggish demand at home.

Two British officials have said that the British government's decision to ban the use of Chinese wind-turbine maker Ming Yang Smart Energy for offshore wind projects in March, on security grounds, has disappointed Beijing.

One of the officials claimed that the decision on Ming Yang had been?communicated in advance to the Chinese to ensure Cooper's trip remained on track.

Both British and Chinese officials said they were bracing themselves for the outcome of a High Court Review of the Government's approval in January of a new Chinese Embassy, due?in June or August, with Beijing likely retaliating if the project was again stalled.

The British government still tries to take advantage of the current detente. Relations under the previous Conservative government were soured due to tensions during the coronavirus outbreak over allegations of spying and human rights.

Two sources have confirmed that the Foreign Affairs Select Committee led by Emily Thornberry will visit China in the second half of this month. The trip is likely to include stops in Beijing and Guangzhou. However, one source has warned that the trip could be cancelled due to the political turmoil at home. Reporting by Joe Cash, Editing by Raju.Gopalakrishnan.and Andrew Heavens.

(source: Reuters)