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.

Closer links with China are “crucial” for economic growth, Rachel Reeves has said. The Chancellor is in Beijing for talks on a closer trading relationship which she claims will boost Britain’s GDP by £1 billion as the Government attempts to mend relations with the world’s second-largest economy.

It follows criticism of the chancellor's trip which comes at a time of economic unease as UK borrowing costs rise.