‘Reengagement with China’ to boost British economy by up to £1B, Reeves says in Beijing

A healthy relationship with Beijing is “squarely in our national interest,” Reeves said on Saturday as she announced agreements “worth £600 million to the U.K. economy over the next five years.”

Speaking during a visit to U.K. bicycle maker Brompton’s Beijing store, Reeves insisted she would not alter her economic plans.

“I have been really clear that our fiscal rules are non-negotiable, that we will pay for day-to-day spending through tax receipts and we will get debt down as a share of GDP,” she said. “Those fiscal rules that I set out in the budget in October are non-negotiable and we will take actions to ensure that we meet those fiscal rules.”

At a press conference with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Reeves said: “I believe that increasing trade and investment with an economically important partner like China is crucial for achieving my number one mission in government – economic growth.”