The UK government is preparing to sign a new border security agreement with China aimed at disrupting the supply of small boats and engines used by people smuggling gangs operating across the English Channel.
The deal is due to be signed in Beijing after meetings between Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, during the first UK prime ministerial visit to China in eight years.
The agreement will, for the first time, allow UK and Chinese law enforcement agencies to work together before boats and engines reach criminal networks in Europe.
The main goal is to stop smuggling equipment at its source, rather than intercepting it after it has already entered Europe.
UK authorities say that more than half of the engines used in Channel crossings are manufactured in China.
Data from last year shows that over 60% of engines seized from smuggling gangs were
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