The European Union is floundering in its stuttering efforts to conclude a trade deal with China, and US politicians and businesses continue to show paranoia toward Beijing.

So Britain, which is facing tortuous negotiations to leave the EU, has a clear chance to build a solid relationship with China.

Although there was an initial hiccup when newly installed Prime Minister Theresa May briefly froze Chinese-backed plans to build a nuclear power station using French technology at Hinkley Point in southwest England, the so-called "golden era" of Sino-British ties is back on track.

The Hinkley Point interval did allow a quick burst of xenophobia about security issues to surface in the UK media, which was deftly silenced by May's decision to go ahead with the 18 billion pound ($23.2 billion) project, in which China has a 33 percent stake.

May, who met with President Xi Jinping at the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou this month, has impressed so far with her firm if pragmatic, style of government.

This bodes well for future ties with China. There is already 40 billion pounds of Chinese investment in the UK, announced last October during Xi's state visit.

China is eager to use its technology to build nuclear power stations in Britain, which would be the first time Beijing has been able to export its designs. These would have to pass rigid UK safety criteria, a must if China is to sell its technology abroad.

So,much hangs on the future of Sino-British relations. One factor that weighs heavily in favor of the "golden era" continuing is the question of political stability in the UK.

In Britain, a general election must be held every five years. May, if she plays her cards right, can expect a clear run in government, possibly until 2025.

The reason is that Britain's main opposition, the Labour Party headed by the left-wing Jeremy Corbyn, is in meltdown mode.

Corbyn was re-elected as party leader on Saturday, but most commentators believe his tenure means that Labour is unlikely to regain power at the next election, due in2020.

Looking at the UK's recent political history, periods of prolonged prosperity have coincided with long periods in office, notably Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government in the 1980s and Tony Blair's centrist New Labour reign from 1997 to the mid-2000s.

The signs are good. May has managed to calm fears that Brexit would be a calamity, and Britain needs a solid, reliable relationship with China, both culturally and economically.

EU member states are divided over whether to award China full market economy status, and meetings between EU senior officials and the Dalai Lama haven't helped relations with Beijing. The EU's perception of steel dumping by China continues to lurk in the background. It would seem, therefore, that May could be pushing at an open door if she wants to strengthen the UK's dealings with China.

The author is managing editor, Europe, for China Daily. Contact him on chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com