A former aide to Boris Johnson is expected to be appointed the UK’s next ambassador to China.

Peter Wilson, who speaks fluent Mandarin, worked as principal private secretary to Mr Johnson from March to September 2022, taking up the role after the partygate furore.

Mr Wilson, who has previously been ambassador to Brazil, the Netherlands and the United Nations, is expected to replace Caroline Wilson, Britain’s current ambassador to China, in the next few months, according to Reuters.

The old Etonian is being brought in as Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, seeks to patch up relations with China.

Mr Wilson’s experience working in the country dates back to the late 1990s, when he served as a junior diplomat at the British embassy in Beijing, and from 2007 to 2010 when he worked as a political counsellor.

He then served as the Asia Pacific director at the Foreign Office from 2010 to 2013, with responsibility for North and South East Asia.

Mr Wilson’s ties to the region run even deeper with his father, Sir David Wilson, serving as the penultimate governor of Hong Kong from 1987 to 1992.

While he has not yet spoken publicly about his upcoming appointment, his previous approach to China has been a measured one.

In 2017, while serving as ambassador and deputy permanent representative to the UN, Mr Wilson told a panel at the Asia Society that “China has always been as much an opportunity as a threat”. He added there could be ways to work with Beijing if it were to engage more with the international system.

Mr Wilson also rejected claims that China was the main destabilising force in the world. Instead, he pointed to Russia and said he would “hate to create an environment” where the UK and others were “forcing Russia and China closer together”.

Crucial test

It comes following years of tension between Beijing and successive Conservative governments.

The UK’s outgoing ambassador to China, Ms Wilson – who is of no relation – was appointed in 2020, and has faced a number of challenges during her tenure.

In early 2021, Chinese state media attacked her after she advocated for the “watchdog” role of an independent press.

The same year, Ms Wilson also made headlines when she asked the then trade minister Liz Truss why the UK could not treat China “like we treat the French”.

Ms Truss responded that it was because the French “aren’t committing genocide,” referring to China’s alleged treatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province, which Beijing has denied.

After the comments were made public, some Conservative MPs called for Ms Wilson to resign.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak also caused a stir when he accused Beijing of “acting in a way that is more authoritarian and assertive abroad” after it was revealed that China had hacked the UK’s defence ministry.

The Chinese embassy in the UK condemned the statement as an “unwarranted accusation and malicious slander”.

It also comes as China hopes to secure approval to build a “mega-embassy” in London, which would be its largest in Europe and nearly double the size of its mission in Washington.

However, the plans have been delayed due to concerns that the site could pose a security risk to nearby residents.

Human rights groups have also claimed China could use the facility to spy on dissidents.

Under the plans, the 600,000 sq ft site, bought by China’s government for more than £255 million six years ago, would include offices, 225 homes and a “cultural exchange” building. The proposals were initially rejected two years ago but have been resurrected since Labour came to power.

The fate of Beijing’s plans is seen as a crucial test for Sir Keir as he attempts to forge stronger ties with China without alienating the US.

UK-China relations ‘showing momentum’

In the meantime, Britain and China have been increasing their levels of engagement.

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, paid an official visit to London earlier this month. He met with David Lammy, his British counterpart, as well as the Prime Minister.

Mr Wang’s trip marked a resumption of the UK and China’s “strategic dialogue” forum, which had been paused since 2018.

Mr Lammy and Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, have also visited China in recent months. 

Sir Keir is expected to visit the country later this year in what would be the first trip there by a British leader in nearly seven years.