Theresa May on Xi Jinping

Theresa May, during her premiership, adopted a stance toward Xi Jinping rooted in strengthening the economic relationship between the UK and China, often referencing the "Golden Era" of bilateral ties established previously. Her visits and engagements emphasized securing trade deals and investment, exemplified by a major business delegation trip to Beijing in early 2018 where significant commercial agreements were announced. She consistently sought to balance the desire for economic partnership with necessary security and political considerations, viewing engagement with the Chinese leader as central to her vision for a 'Global Britain' post-Brexit.

However, this engagement was not uncritical, with May expressing concerns over specific issues such as human rights and calling for a full review of Chinese involvement in critical national infrastructure projects following her tenure. While the official diplomatic tone remained broadly cooperative under Xi Jinping's leadership to secure economic benefits, private and later public statements indicated a growing awareness of strategic competition and the need for vigilance regarding Chinese influence. The relationship was thus characterized by a practical, transactional focus on trade alongside nascent, more cautious assessments of security implications.