The UK has made an attempt to restart economic talks with China after a six-year gap. The Labour government hopes to repair strained ties, but the trip has attracted criticism amid financial turmoil.

BEIJING (Reuters) -- British finance minister Rachel Reeves, facing criticism for travelling to China during financial market turmoil at home, said on Saturday that "pragmatic and predictable" relations with Beijing would help boost economic growth and trade.

By Laurie Chen and Andy Bruce BEIJING (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Saturday during a visit to Beijing that she intended to have "pragmatic" relations with Chinese leaders to boost exports to the world's second-largest economy.

A defiant Rachel Reeves has defended flying to China for a business trip in the face of fears that Britain is heading for an economic crisis. As the pound hit a new 14-month low and the cost of government borrowing rose again,