This is The Guardian.

Today, China comes in from the cold.

Xi Jinping had a very busy January, entertaining a cavalcade of world leaders in Beijing.

First came the Irish Taoiseach, Michael Martin.

The visit by the Taoiseach is an attempt to expand on trade ties, and on that front, successful groundwork was laid.

Then it was Mark Carney's turn.

It has been eight years since a Canadian Prime Minister touched down in the capital of China,

but given the way the world has changed, it seems like a century ago.

There followed the Finnish Prime Minister, the Uruguayan President,

and then, last week, Kirstarmer.

Kirstama has told Xin Jinping he wants a more sophisticated relationship with China

as he met the president at the great hall of people on the first full day of his trip.

The Prime Minister said China was a vital player on the global stage.

It was the first visit by a British PM since Theresa May eight years ago.

A sign of just how strained relations have been over COVID,

not to mention allegations of Chinese spying,

cyber hacking, and the suppression of Hong Kong exiles on British soil.

Stama presented his visit as the beginning of a different kind of relationship with China.

We inherited a policy from the previous government,

not of engagement with China, but hiding away and sticking their heads in the sand.

While our allies developed a more sophisticated approach,

they let the UK fall behind.

...