China Lifts Sanctions on Six British Parliamentarians After Starmer Talks
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Jan. 30, 2026 that travel bans and other restrictions no longer apply to six serving MPs and peers.
Overview
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in Shanghai on Jan. 30, 2026 that China lifted all restrictions on six serving British parliamentarians — Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Tom Tugendhat, Nusrat Ghani, Neil O'Brien, Baroness Helena Kennedy and David Alton.
China imposed the sanctions in 2021 in response to UK measures over Xinjiang, banning nine British citizens from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau and freezing any property, records show.
The six affected current parliamentarians said in a Jan. 30 statement that they 'take no comfort' from the selective lifting and demanded 'clear assurances' that UK sanctions on four Chinese officials accused of genocide remain in place.
Other British individuals targeted in 2021, including Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, Dr Jo Smith Finley and former MP Tim Loughton, appear to remain subject to restrictions, and it is not known if family members are affected, officials and media reports indicate.
Sir Keir Starmer said he hoped President Xi Jinping would visit the UK for the G20 summit in 2027, while opposition politicians and rights groups said issues including the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai and allegations in Xinjiang must be addressed, officials and campaigners said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a cautious diplomatic win by foregrounding the prime minister’s claims and government 'clear wins,' while juxtaposing critics' statements as source content. Editorial choices — lead placement, positive detail selection (trade and visa talks), and sympathetic subheads — shape a pragmatic, engagement-first narrative without ignoring human-rights objections.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Tom Tugendhat, Nusrat Ghani, Neil O'Brien, Baroness Helena Kennedy, and David Alton.
China imposed the sanctions in response to UK sanctions on Chinese officials over human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.
They take no comfort from the selective lifting, demand assurances that UK sanctions on Chinese officials remain, and criticize it as preferential treatment for sitting MPs.
Yes, sanctions appear to remain on former MP Tim Loughton, Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, and Dr Jo Smith Finley.
No, it is understood that Britain will not lift its sanctions on the four Chinese officials in exchange.
History
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