Bank of England governor to join Reeves on key China visit
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Andrew Bailey, the Bank of England governor, will join Rachel Reeves on a visit to China next month aimed at strengthening financial services trade ties between the two countries. Sky News has learnt that Mr Bailey and Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, will both accompany the chancellor on the January trip.
Mr Bailey is expected to hold talks with Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, although there was no confirmation of any meeting between them this weekend. The attendance of the Bank of England governor and City regulator's boss underlines the importance that the summit, which kicks off on January 11, has assumed for the government.
Earlier this month, Sky News revealed that the Treasury was close to finalising the details of the chancellor's trip, which will include the first UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue for more than five years. The visit will come just days before Donald Trump's second inauguration as US President and against a backdrop made more complex by the spying row involving Prince Andrew.
At the G20 summit in Brazil last month, Sir Keir Starmer met China's president, Xi Jinping, and said the UK "would be a predictable and pragmatic partner", according to a government readout of the meeting. Brexit has 'weighed' on economy and UK 'must rebuild relations' with EU - Bank of England governor.
