The prime minister is trying to perform a difficult balancing act, looking for commercial opportunity in a growing powerhouse while protecting national security from an authoritarian behemoth. Sir Keir has pledged to “raise what needs to be raised” with President Xi – a standard diplomatic euphemism allowing for cursory mention of delicate topics. Sir Keir has form when it comes to denying the existence of such conflicts of interest. The contradiction between upholding values of democracy and befriending President Xi is even more stark. That is not a reason to refuse engagement, but it will take more than pre-summit assurances from the prime minister to prove that he can get the balance right.