What your role is as Political Counsellor?

I run a team of almost 30 people, and we have four main jobs  - to understand and report on China’s internal political situation, including human rights issues, for a high level audience across Government in the UK;  to work with China, and understand more about Chinese views, on key foreign policy issues, including our work together as permanent members of the UN security council;  to manage the bilateral relationship with China, in particular the more tricky issues as they come up - for example we do a lot of work together on illegal migration;  and I have overall responsibility for our Press and Public Affairs Team.   In other words, I do the political stuff - which for this key bilateral relationship is always interesting, and increasingly important.  I try to capture some of this in a blog I keep, at www.fco.gov.uk/blogs or in Chinese at www.vipwilson.sohu.com.

What does your work in China mean for people back in the UK?

One very broad example is the China Strategy that the Foreign Secretary launched in the UK on 22 January  - UK and China, a Framework for Engagement.  You can read it on the Embassy website, which also gives examples of other work we do, in English at or in Chinese. This sets out why the relationship matters, and how we plan to work with China over the next four years.  Premier Wen Jiabao welcomed it at a press conference he gave with the Prime Minister on 2 February, and it has had a very positive reception here. 

Tell us about your work with British businesses.

We have a very active commercial section in the Embassy, that works with UK Trade and Industry in London.  They have, for example, made huge progress on securing Chinese inward investment into the UK.   Another example is the buyers’ mission, that recently visited the UK, following closely on the annual summit between our two Prime Ministers in February.  That buyers’ mission did more than $2.2bn worth of business.  China will also play a critical role in the London Summit for G20 countries and others, to be held on 2 April. Our economic team have been working very closely with the leading negotiators on the Chinese side. 

Finally, what do you miss about the UK and particularly like about China?

Beijing is a flat and dusty city, built on a plain, surrounded by dramatic mountains on three sides.  It is a city of greys, greys, yellows and rich reds.  I miss the colour green - as I am from Scotland.  What I like most about Beijing, and China more generally, is the breakneck pace of change, and the constant variety.  This is a very diverse, complex country, that often surprises.  And what happens here matters a great deal to the UK.  I feel lucky to be here, especially now.

Picture: Peter Wilson and colleagues outside of Beijing Chaoyang Church, China