UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is set to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this week during his visit to Britain, a government source confirmed on Sunday. The meeting will coincide with

He’s trip for trade discussions involving top U.S. officials, as part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions in the U.S.-China trade relationship.

According to China’s foreign ministry, Vice Premier He will be in the UK from June 8 to June 13. While in London, he is scheduled to hold talks with senior advisers to former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at resolving the trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies, which has unsettled global markets.

Reeves, who met He earlier in January during a visit to China, will host a bilateral meeting during his stay, though the timing of the talks has not been disclosed. The meeting is part of the UK’s broader strategy under Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Beijing.

Despite these efforts, skepticism about China remains strong in Westminster. Concerns persist over alleged Chinese espionage activities and controversial plans for a major new Chinese embassy in London, a project that has drawn criticism from opposition politicians.

China intends to build its largest European embassy at Royal Mint Court, a historic site near the Tower of London. However, planning permission has been denied by the local council, and the UK government is yet to issue a final ruling.

The Sunday Times reported that a senior U.S. official expressed “deep concern” over the embassy plan, citing its proximity to key financial institutions and three critical data centres. The official suggested that the UK’s decision on the matter could influence ongoing trade talks with the U.S.

British Technology Minister Peter Kyle sought to reassure the public, telling Sky News on Sunday that “security issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process.” Photo by Chmee2, Wikimedia commons.