UK and China agree to crack down on Channel smuggling using shared intelligence and engine controls.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a new law enforcement agreement with China during his first visit as UK leader, with the goal of disrupting small boat crossings in the English Channel by targeting Chinese-made engines used by smuggling gangs. Over 60% of seized engines in 2025 were traced back to China, prompting collaborative efforts to prevent illegal sales, strengthen deportations, and combat synthetic opioid trafficking. The agreement strengthens existing international cooperation and is part of a larger strategy to combat transnational crime through intelligence sharing. While Downing Street emphasizes the economic and security benefits, critics question its effectiveness, citing previous failed policies and concerns about national security and human rights.