Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced that China has lifted sanctions, including travel bans, imposed on six serving British MPs and peers following talks with President Xi Jinping.
Speaking to the media in Shanghai, Starmer said all restrictions on the parliamentarians “no longer apply,” describing the move as a positive outcome of diplomatic engagement.
The sanctions, imposed by China in 2021, targeted four Conservative MPs and two members of the House of Lords who were vocal critics of Beijing’s human rights record, particularly over alleged abuses in Xinjiang.
Those affected were previously barred from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and faced other penalties.
Sir Keir said the development supported his approach to engaging with China rather than avoiding dialogue, arguing that sensitive issues can only be raised through direct talks.
He added that the UK hopes President Xi will visit Britain when it hosts the G20 summit in 2027.
However, the sanctioned MPs and peers said they did not welcome the decision, stating they did not want their status used as a bargaining tool. They said they would prefer to remain sanctioned if others, including civil society figures, were still affected.
The Chinese foreign ministry confirmed that both countries had agreed in principle to resume normal parliamentary exchanges.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir defended closer engagement with China amid criticism from opposition parties, insisting it would be foolhardy for the UK to refuse to engage with the world’s second-largest economy.
The UK has not lifted any sanctions on Chinese officials.
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