Dr. Zeno Leoni is an assistant professor in International Security at the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London. His research focuses on US and Chinese grand strategies, US-China, UK-China relations and Five Eye Alliance. He is the author of articles such as “The End of the “Golden Era”? The Conundrum of Britain’s China Policy Amidst Sino-American Relations” and the chapter on the United Kingdom in The Palgrave Geopolitical Atlas
Paweł Mazurek: What are the UK’s main strategic priorities in the post-Brexit era?
Dr. Zeno Leoni: The UK needs to consolidate its alliances and partnerships. After Brexit, Britain found itself in a delicate geopolitical position. Having lost its main economic partner, the European Union, it was unable to secure trade agreements with China – due to political sensitivities – or with the United States, given growing protectionism in Washington. Meanwhile, the “Global Britain” strategy delivered limited tangible gains. However, the situation has begun to evolve. The Labour government is now exploring closer economic relations with both the EU and China, while the previous government succeeded in concluding a trade agreement with the United States.
PM: What was the so-called “golden era” in UK–China relations?
ZL: The “golden era” represented a moment of liberal optimism under the Conservative government led by Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. During this period, British elites saw an opportunity to open the UK economy to China and gain greater access to the Chinese market. However, the initiative was characterised largely by rhetoric. Beyond a limited number of high-profile deals – most notably the inclusion of the renminbi among the currencies cleared in London – the economic relationship primarily benefited individual firms rather than developing into a structural partnership. Nonetheless, the “golden era” paved the way for further economic cooperation with China, which continued even after its formal end. This shift came with the UK’s decision to reject Huawei’s 5G technology, marking a clear political turning point in bilateral relations.
PM: How has Brexit changed UK–China relations?
ZL: The impact has been limited, insofar as this did not affect the trading arrangements between China and the UK, and because the UK – despite leaving the European common market – lacked the political appetite to pursue a more comprehensive trade agreement with Beijing. At the same time, from a commercial perspective, the UK has become less important for China
PM: How is the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the UK perceived in China?
ZL: Chinese policymakers recognise that the UK–US “special relationship,” despite periodic tensions, is a long-term alliance that China cannot realistically undermine. As a result, Beijing does not seek to draw the UK fully to its side. However, it is reasonable to argue that China aims to influence the UK selectively on specific issues when it suits Beijing’s interests, at times also using the UK to signal or demonstrate China’s broader global influence.
PM: How has Trump’s second term influenced relations between London and Beijing?
ZL: It cannot yet be argued that this has had a tangible impact. Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to China should not be interpreted as a Carney-style act of defiance toward the US hegemon. Rather, the trip to Beijing and Shanghai was long overdue and reflects the practical necessity for the UK to engage with the world’s second-largest economy. It also follows a broader trend over the past year in which the UK and China have gradually reopened channels of cooperation. This does not preclude the possibility that a future UK government might adopt elements of multialignment, but this visit was neither an expression of such a strategy nor an attempt to signal distance from Washington.
PM: How is the issue of the new Chinese embassy in London perceived in London and Beijing?
ZL: For London, two key considerations were at stake. First, the UK needed to refurbish its embassy in Beijing, so denying China a new embassy in London would not support that objective. Second, the UK aims to maintain a constructive relationship with China where possible. Since security assessments indicated manageable risks, the Prime Minister approved the project, though such a decision would likely not apply to critical infrastructure. For China, the new embassy allows staffing in a capital that remains vital for business, finance regulatory institutions, politics, and the network of think tanks and academia, while signaling to the wider world that Beijing is influential in the West.
PM: Are there any economic or political interest groups in either country that are willing to change the current trajectory of bilateral relations?
ZL: In the UK, economic interest groups, particularly in finance, technology, and higher education, favor maintaining constructive engagement with China to protect trade, investment, and research collaborations. The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), the 48 Club, HSBC, Standard Charter, and others are especially influencia, in this regard. Politically, however, the government balances these interests against security concerns and alliance obligations, especially with the US, even if there is a cross-party consensus in parliament about the need to engage China on transnational issues such as Artificial Intelligence and climate change. In China, the leadership views the UK as a secondary partner, with limited incentive to fundamentally shift bilateral relations, though certain business and trade actors advocate for deeper cooperation to access European markets. Overall, while both countries contain actors seeking closer ties, these groups lack the influence to dramatically alter the cautious, managed trajectory of UK–China relations.
Paweł Mazurek PhD candidate in Political Science and Administration at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Visiting Research Student at the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London. His research interests include U.S. – China relations, the U.S. Congress, and theories of international relations.
Więcej informacji na temat: newslettera, polityki prywatności serwisu
czytaj więcej
Guidance for Workplaces on Preparing for Coronavirus Spread
Due to the spread of coronavirus, the following workplace recommendations have been issued by the Ministry of Development, in cooperation with the Chief Sanitary Inspector. We also invite you to read article about general information and recommendations for entrepreneurs.
Voices from Asia – introduction
We would like to cordially invites all to the new series "Voices from Asia" that is devoted to the Asian perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine. In this series, we publish analysis by experts based in Asia or working on Asian affairs who present their positions on this matter.
Dr. Nicolas Levi with a lecture in Seoul
On May 24 Dr. Nicolas Levi gave a lecture on Balcerowicz's plan in the context of North Korea. The speech took place as part of the seminar "Analyzing the Possibility of Reform and its Impact on Human Rights in North Korea". The seminar took place on May 24 at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
Charitable activities of the Vietnamese in Poland: their scope and sources
The scale of assistance provided to medics by the Vietnamese community during the 2020 pandemic inspires admiration and gratitude. It stems from the sense of belonging to Poland and deeply rooted in the culture order to help those in need and repay the debt incurred at the time when they themselves needed such help.
Ewa GrabowskaCentral Asia. The winding road to regional integration
The aim of the paper is to present the current stage of integration among the Central Asian republics and to analyze directions and dynamics of this process in the nearest future. This study also attempts to identify factors which can either slow down or strengthen the process of integration as well as its causes and consequences.
Jerzy OlędzkiShort summary of events at the Boym Institute
We want the Boym Institute to become a valuable platform of exchanging views, making valuable acquaintances and, above all, deepening knowledge. Therefore, we undertake the organization of many events: debates, lectures, and conferences.
“May you be the mother of a thousand sons” – the status of women in Indian society
The 1950 Indian Constitution introduced the principle of equal opportunities for gender equality, which grants women and men the same rights in family life, political, social and economic life. So why is it that nearly forty per cent of girls aged 15-17 do not attend school, the custom of dowry giving is still cultivated and prenatal sex selection is still a huge social problem?
Magdalena RybczyńskaAfter the darkness of the Cultural Revolution, the times of the Chinese transformation had come. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping realised the need to educate a new generation of leaders: people proficient in science, management and politics. Generous programmes were created that aimed at attracting back to China fresh graduates of foreign universities, young experts, entrepreneurs and professionals.
Ewelina HoroszkiewiczMeeting with Dr. Uki Maroshek-Klarman
It’s a great pleasure for the Boym Institute to organize an open meeting with dr Uki Maroshek who founded the betzavta method. Betzavta is taught across the globe at the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace in Jerusalem as well as in other institutions in Europe and the Middle East.
In the first part of this analysis of Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC) I look into the historical preconditions for the city’s planned development as well as present the legislative climate in which works on Ulaanbaatar’s future development strategies have recently found themselves.
Paweł SzczapTaiwanese Perceptions of Russia’s Ukraine war
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwanese government remained committed to its position of condemnation for Russia, humanitarian support for Ukraine, and deep appreciation and admiration for the Ukrainian people’s will to defy power, resist aggression, and defend their nation.
Kuan Ting ChenInterview with Arthur Tun on Myanmar’s Coup d’État
On the 1st of February 2021, Myanmar’s military forces overthrew the government and arrested the Prime Minister, Aung San Suu Kyi. On the fifth anniversary of these events, the Boym Institute decided to ask what Myanmar looks like after the coup.
Paweł MazurekInterview: Why Does Poland Need ‘17+1’?
Interview with Michał Wójcik - Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Marine Economy and Inland Navigation (DWM MGMiŻŚ). In the Ministry, he is leading the Coordinating Secretariat for Maritime Issues , monitoring the cooperation of Central and Eastern European States with China.
Krzysztof ZalewskiJoin us for the Adam Institute’s Latest Online Course
Conflict resolution models have been primarily crafted and codified by men. The Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace invites you to be part of that much-needed change through an experiential and innovative Online Course "Conflict Resolution in the Context of Gender".
Patrycja Pendrakowska as a participant of Women Economic Forum (WEF) in India
The interactive discussion covers recent projects and collaborations which have contributed to a greener economy in India
China’s Social Credit System – How will it affect Polish enterprises in China?
The Social Credit System currently being rolled out in China may pose significant organisational and legal challenges for both foreign and Polish entities operating in China. We invite you to read our report, prepared in cooperation between the Boym Institute and Kochanski & Partners.
Patrycja PendrakowskaPaths to Asia: Conversations that Inspire
Wojciech Jaworski is the founder of Huqiao Games, a company specializing in bringing PC games to the Chinese market. A graduate of Jagiellonian University and participant in the “Chinese Bridge” program, he is currently working on a new, as yet unannounced project in the gamedev/tech industry.
Patrycja PendrakowskaWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaAssessing the New U.S. National Security Strategy: Key Takeaways on Asia
On 4th December 2025 the Donald Trump administration released the new National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States of America. What are the key takeaways on Asia?
Jakub WitczakIndonesia – between religion and democracy
Indonesia is the largest Muslim democracy in the world. Approximately 88% of the population in Indonesia declares Islamic religion, but in spite of this significant dominance, Indonesia is not a religious state.
Anna GrzywaczGlobal Gateway 101: A Short Guide to the EU’s Development Initiatives and their Challenges in Asia
The 2010s and 2020s have been marked by intense geopolitical competition, not only in traditional military and economic terms but also in the realm of global development initiatives.
Konrad SzattersWe would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaWe’re Stronger Together – an Interview with Minister Marcin Przydacz
"Cooperation and investments – we are absolutely up for it. However, we prefer to keep a certain degree of caution when it comes to entrusting the transfer of technology and critical infrastructure to external investors. The security of Poland and the EU should be considered more important than even the greatest economic gains..."
Polish-Asian Cooperation in the Field of New Technologies – Report
Polish and Polish-founded companies are already on the largest continent in sectors such as: IT, educational technology, finance, marketing, e-commerce and space. Despite this, the potential lying dormant in the domestic innovation sector seems to be underutilized.