"Let's Be Clear, Golden Era With China Is Over", Says UK PM Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak did acknowledge that the UK "cannot simply ignore China's significance in world affairs"

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made a clear break with the past on UK-China relations as he declared that the so-called "golden era" of bilateral ties is over due to the "systemic challenge" to British values and interests posed by increasing authoritarianism in Beijing.

In his first major foreign policy speech at the Lord Mayor of London's Banquet on Monday night, the British Indian leader said he wants to "evolve" the UK's approach towards one of Asia's largest economies as he criticised the country's human rights record.

However, he did acknowledge that the UK "cannot simply ignore China's significance in world affairs" and therefore his approach would be one of "robust pragmatism" taking a "longer-term view".

"Let's be clear, the so-called 'golden era' is over, along with the naive idea that trade would lead to social and political reform," said Mr Sunak, with reference to the phrase coined during the David Cameron-led Conservative Party government around seven years ago.