According to three sources, Britain has named a Mandarin-speaking diplomat with familial ties to Hong Kong as its next ambassador to China. Peter Wilson, expected to take over from current ambassador Caroline Wilson in the coming months, is considered an experienced diplomat with prior service in the Netherlands and Brazil. This appointment comes as the Labour government intensifies diplomatic efforts with China, amid past Conservative-led tensions on various issues.
Peter Wilson's background includes roles at the British embassy in Beijing dating back to the 1990s, and his father, David Wilson, served as the penultimate British governor of Hong Kong. The British Foreign Ministry has not confirmed the appointment. Other recent high-level visits to China by British officials indicate a renewed focus on diplomatic relations, including a forthcoming trip by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the first by a British leader since 2018.
Caroline Wilson, not related to Peter, has faced challenges in her role as ambassador, navigating a more confrontational stance towards China by the previous Conservative government. One incident during her tenure involved a discussion with the UK trade minister about China's human rights record. Following internal leaks and public criticism, some UK lawmakers called for her replacement.
Peter Wilson's recent positions include serving as Boris Johnson's aide and as Director General for Europe at the Foreign Office. His upcoming appointment reflects a strategic shift in British diplomacy towards China.