China expert likely to be Starmer’s deputy national security adviser: Report

Barbara Woodward, the UK’s former ambassador to China, is expected to be named as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new deputy national security adviser as the Labour government seeks to beef up its foreign policy team.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Woodward, who is currently the UK’s top diplomat at the United Nations, will start her new position later this year. It is pertinent to note that back in June, Woodward narrowly missed out on becoming the first woman to head Britain’s secret intelligence service MI6 after being shortlisted alongside eventual appointee Blaise Metreweli.

Sources close to the matter told Bloomberg about the development on the condition of anonymity. Woodward’s appointment would put a China expert at the heart of the UK’s national security outlook at a time when ties with the Asian nation are under scrutiny. It is also coming at a time when Starmer is seeking an economic rapprochement with China, which the country’s latest defence review called a “sophisticated and persistent challenge.”

Woodward and China

The veteran British diplomat served as deputy envoy in Beijing from 2007 to 2009, returning as ambassador from 2015 to 2020. Interestingly, Woodward oversaw the so-called ‘golden era’ of relations between the UK and China, including President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain and the deepening of trade and economic ties.

Since then, the ties between the two nations soured over national security and human rights concerns. In the past, the UK has expressed concerns over the suppression of civil liberties in the former British territory of Hong Kong and allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang province. Britons have also been concerned about the cybersecurity risk posed by China.

Ever since Starmer came to the office, he has looked to improve ties with China in a bid to increase the UK’s economic growth. In light of this, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves have both visited the country. However, the momentum of UK-China ties slowed after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

Starmer is yet to visit China, though Politico on Wednesday reported that he’ll do so early next year. Meanwhile, a visit by Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is designed to reopen trade talks between the two nations for the first time since 2019. If the appointment is confirmed, Woodward will serve alongside two other deputies under National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, who was instrumental in negotiating the peace process in Northern Ireland as an aide to former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to Bloomberg, Christian Turner, Political Director at the Foreign Office, will replace Woodward in New York at the end of the year. Interestingly, Turner also held the role of deputy national security adviser in the past.