BRITAIN must engage with China, deputy prime minister David Lammy told MPs as Keir Starmer started an official visit to Beijing.

Mr Lammy said that “China matters. Ignoring it would be a dereliction of our duty.”

Standing in for his absent boss at prime minister’s questions, he added that it was in Britain’s interests to “co-operate where we can and challenge where we disagree.”

The deputy prime minister was responding to a Sinophobic rant from Liberal Democrat number two Daisy Cooper, taking in espionage, Hong Kong and the new Chinese embassy in London.

Sir Keir’s Chinese visit is mainly by way of a business trip, and he is being accompanied by around 60 financiers and industrialists, as well as cultural representatives.

Addressing them in a Beijing hotel lobby after his arrival, the Prime Minister said: “They say eight days is a long time in politics, try eight years, because it’s eight years since a British prime minister stepped on Chinese soil.

“On this delegation, you’re making history. You’re part of the change that we’re bringing about,” he enthused, adding, “we are resolute about being outward-looking, about taking opportunities, about building relationships.”

He is walking a tightrope, however, in trying to secure a trade bonanza from the world’s second-largest economy. Canadian premier Mark Carney’s recent efforts in that direction brought down the wrath of Donald Trump, accompanied by the usual tariff threats.

Sir Keir is desperate to avoid offending the thin-skinned US president, so he indicated to reporters on the flight to China that he was not aligning with Mr Carney.

“I’m a pragmatist, a British pragmatist applying common sense,” he said when challenged on the issue.

“I’m pleased that we have a good relationship with the US on defence, security, intelligence and on trade and prosperity, and it’s very important that we maintain that good relationship.

“Equally, we are moving forward with a better relationship with the EU. I’ve consistently said I’m not choosing between the US and Europe. I’m really glad that the UK has got good relations with both,” he emphasised.

Sir Keir will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for trade talks tomorrow. A Chinese government spokesman said today: “Amidst escalating global trade protectionism, both China and the UK uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system.”