14 Oct 2026
Logan was invited as the lone representative from the UK with over 55 countries represented
Former British MP Mark Logan delivered remarks in Mandarin at the 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in Tianjin, China, on October 13, underscoring the need for greater stability in China-Europe relations.
This is the largest and most exclusive forum of its kind in China, now becoming an annual fixture in the political calendar. The former Vice-Chair of the UK's All Party Parliamentary China Group was invited as the lone representative from the UK with over 55 countries represented.
Logan, a long-time China specialist and former Conservative MP for Bolton North East (2019–2024), addressed the European-China session attended by political leaders from more than 50 countries. He opened by reflecting on his first arrival in Shanghai exactly twenty years earlier to study the language at Jiaotong University. His earliest Chinese teacher, he recalled, would quiz him on the spot about British history - particularly Henry VIII and his wives - leaving the young student unable to answer in front of the class. That classroom pressure, Logan joked, felt greater than speaking before the assembled legislators. He added a light observation that Britain has since had more prime ministers than Henry VIII had wives.
Drawing on these experiences, Logan highlighted China’s long and thorough study of Europe. He cited a recent Chinese interviewer’s deep probing of a film director’s creative philosophy and historical views, and praised a fellow participant’s philosophical insights into Europe. In contrast, he said the United Kingdom and Europe still have room to improve their engagement with Chinese language and culture.
The central theme of the speech was “stability.” Logan described this as the most important priority for China-Europe relations. He noted the heightened uncertainty felt across Britain and Europe - nearby conflicts, cost-of-living and energy pressures, and political volatility. Some voices, he observed, appear determined to make relations with China less stable rather than more so. Reduced exchanges, trade and mutual understanding would only increase Europe’s insecurity.
Having watched China’s rise closely since those early Shanghai days, Logan argued that China, while not immune to global turbulence, offers a relative degree of certainty in governance, policy and long-term strategy. Europe, he said, retains valuable contributions to make, particularly in energy and artificial intelligence. Legislators, he proposed, can play a distinctive role beyond any single government by building more frequent, institutionalised dialogue between European and Chinese lawmakers and regulators, beginning in those two fields.
Twenty years ago, many in the West believed they had much to teach China. Today, Logan concluded, everyone should learn from one another - not as idealism, but because mutual learning has proved practically effective. He expressed hope for steadily more stable China-Europe ties and thanked the organizers for their hospitality.