David Cameron’s first visit to Beijing is an opportunity to reflect on the foreign policy of the UK’s governing coalition. The prime minister came into office promising to build Britain’s economic ties with the fast-growing economies of Asia. While a worthwhile objective, this should not be the sole policy aim with these nations.

There is nothing wrong with pushing British business – as Mr Cameron did when he visited India in July, and plans to do in Beijing this week. But he should not downplay the strategic dimension of foreign policy. The Beijing visit comes just days before the G20 summit in Seoul. Yet it would be difficult to know what Britain’s position towards China is on the key question of global imbalances. Mr Cameron cannot shelter behind a common western position. While the US has pushed a plan of controlling surpluses and deficits, Germany is cool on the idea.

While there is clearly a limit to what Mr Cameron can ask of China, that does not mean that the UK should not attempt a strategic dialogue. The coalition promised a hard-headed foreign policy grounded in the national interest. That should surely encompass not just relationships with the US or the European Union, but the emerging economies also.