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LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Labour government has pared back an audit of relations with China, four sources with knowledge of the matter said, preparing the way for a less critical report that could help Prime Minister Keir Starmer focus on improving economic ties.
The Labour Party said before taking power the audit would be Britain’s first in-depth, potentially year-long appraisal of relations and supply chains with a country considered by the security services as the nation’s biggest long-term threat.
The government is now opting for a quicker and less in-depth approach, which will most probably end up being less critical of China, the sources said. Two of the sources pointed to Starmer’s growth agenda and plan to improve relations with an important trading partner for the decision.
Asked about Reuters findings, a British government spokesperson said “the audit process is ongoing”.
“We are carrying out a full and comprehensive audit on the breadth of the UK’s relationship with China which will bring a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China,” the spokesperson said.
