Britain's Treasury chief is heading to China to revive suspended economic and financial talks

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain's Treasury chief is travelling to China this weekend in a bid to boost economic and financial cooperation between the countries, as the U.K.'s Labour government seeks to reset strained ties with Beijing. The meetings form part of a bid by Starmer, who was elected as leader in July, to strengthen political and economic ties with China, the U.K.'s fourth-largest single trading partner according to the Treasury. Calls to tackle the challenge grew louder last month when it emerged that an alleged Chinese spy had cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and carried out “covert and deceptive activity” for China's ruling Communist Party, according to officials. Nevertheless, Lammy told reporters in London on Thursday that “there are many areas of trade that don’t impact on national security.” He said Reeves “will repeat many of the messages that I took to China.” “What we’ve said is in this complex relationship with a global superpower, we are guided by three Cs”: challenge, compete and cooperate, for example in areas including health and climate challenges, Lammy added.