“The British Prime Minister’s Beijing visit marked the end of a long diplomatic hiatus and produced tangible, if limited, economic results,” wrote Institute Patron and Friends of China Co-Editor Keith Bennett in an article published in the Morning Star on 5 February 2026. The article recalls the role played by business in building friendship with socialist China, from the 1953 ‘Icebreaker Mission” to the work of their successors today in the 48 Group of British Traders with China, of which Keith Bennett is the Vice Chair.

Speaking at a meeting on 5 January 2026, Keith spoke warmly of the achievements of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as well as his daughter Benazir Bhutto and grandson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in fostering Pakistan’s friendship with the socialist countries, including the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The meeting was called by Third World Solidarity and chaired by its President, the Hon. Alderman Mushtaq Lasharie

On Sunday December 14, 2025, Friends of Socialist China (FoSC) organised its third consecutive end of year reception and dinner. Joining FoSC Co-Editors Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez, more than 60 supporters and friends from various progressive organisations, communities and walks of life packed the Palestinian Hiba Express restaurant in Holborn, central London, to renew friendships and to sum up the work in 2025 and the prospects for the new year.