BEIJING —James Cleverly, Britain's prominent diplomat, has commenced a highly anticipated trip to China, aiming to stabilize the frayed relationship between the two nations.

This visit is significant as it marks the first time in over five years that a British foreign secretary has visited China, highlighting the strained ties due to concerns such as the curbing of civil liberties in Hong Kong, human rights issues in Xinjiang, China's alignment with Russia, and the UK's strong security partnership with the US.

Cleverly's initial meeting was with Vice President Han Zheng, who stressed the visit's role in advancing a steady and positive development of the bilateral relationship.

Later in the day, Cleverly is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Wang Yi serves as both the principal figure in the Communist Party's foreign affairs and has recently taken back his previous role as foreign minister following the unexplained disappearance of his predecessor, Qin Gang.

On Tuesday, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, expressed the hope that the British delegation would collaborate with China to uphold mutual respect, deepen exchanges, foster mutual understanding, and ensure the stable progression of Sino-British relations.

Cleverly has announced his intention to discuss topics like Xinjiang and Hong Kong. He is likely to emphasize that China's global influence brings a corresponding responsibility — this encompasses efforts to end Russia's incursion into Ukraine and mitigate geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims for a balanced and non-confrontational stance in dealing with Beijing. He acknowledges China as an evolving "systemic challenge" to British values and interests, but he also underlines the importance of maintaining a diplomatic rapport with the influential Asian nation.