British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s decision to drop plans to designate China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority as genocide on his visit to Beijing marks a significant shift in Labour’s stance on the issue. In March 2023, Lammy had vowed to pursue legal routes to declare China’s actions as genocide, but now the government is trying to improve relations with China, leading to a U-turn.
The trade relationship between the UK and China, valued at £110bn ($143bn) annually, plays a crucial role in this decision. The British government has emphasized that the determination of genocide is for international courts to decide, despite Labour’s skepticism over China’s consent to such proceedings.
The repression of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, where up to two million are detained in camps, has sparked global concern over reports of torture, forced labor, and mass disappearances. This week, the European Parliament passed an emergency resolution condemning China’s actions.
Despite these developments, Labour’s recalibration on the issue reflects a delicate balance between human rights concerns and economic interests. As both parties navigate this complex relationship, the future of UK-China ties remains uncertain.