#uk-china-relations

#uk-china-relations

The young parliamentary researcher, then in his late 20s, was a China specialist working successively for two influential backbenchers, Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns. He had a parliamentary pass and was plugged into Westminster's gossip network during 2022, a year of Conservative turmoil in Westminster, three prime ministers and future policy uncertainty. At the same time, Cash was in close contact with a friend, Christopher Berry, a teacher based in Hangzhou, eastern China, where the Britons had first met five years earlier.

The two men were accused of gathering and providing information prejudicial to the safety and interests of the state between 28 December 2021 and 3 February 2023. But on Monday at the Old Bailey, the court heard that the CPS had determined the evidence it had gathered did not meet the threshold to go to trial. The pair were due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court from 6 October.

The sprawling city of Chongqing in southwestern China is an incredible sight. Built on mountainous terrain and crisscrossed by rivers, it is connected by vast elevated roads.

The visit was about more than symbolism. It's about real, practical partnerships between the UK and Taiwan—two societies that value freedom, fairness and international cooperation.

The UK government is looking to revive trade dialogue with China, despite past criticisms of its investment policies in sensitive sectors like steel.