I think that united front tactic of isolating main enemy US is still in play. Also see the remarks of Yuan Peng cited in Sinocism this week and Wang Yiwei in Bloomberg.

But such tactics have to be overruled once issues that affect core interests or nationalist hot-button issues. Xinjiang sanctions require an immediate response.

Wang Yiwei’s telling comments on isolating the factors 'blocking' cooperation is telling that even there the united front tactic is still in operation: Mao always said there are contradictions everywhere and in this instance they are seeking to play them within the European/UK context.

China is still eager to push Europe back into the middle forces role, though Five Eyes member UK less so. But it depends on the EU and UK playing their role too. If they stop behaving like good wavering middle forces, they might be treated more and more as recalcitrants.