Ministers plan high-level visits to China despite espionage trial outcry

Keir Starmer at a bilateral meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last year. He may visit Beijing in 2026. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

Ministers are pushing ahead with their reset of relations with China, including several planned high-level visits before the end of the year, despite the furore triggered by the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial.

Plans have been drawn up for Jonathan Powell, the national security adviser, to travel to Beijing in November for talks before an anticipated trip by Keir Starmer next year.