United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, calling for a long-term, comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, aimed to reset diplomatic ties following years of strained relations stemming from issues in Hong Kong and security concerns, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
Starmer stated his intent to collaborate on global challenges such as climate change and stability while ensuring a meaningful dialogue remains open regarding areas where the UK and China hold differing views. This approach frames engagement as a pragmatic necessity for the world's second-largest economy, a sentiment Starmer expressed prior to the trip.
President Xi underscored the necessity for increased dialogue and cooperation given the current complex international environment, noting that leaders must proceed bravely when pursuing national interests despite difficulties. Starmer confirmed that he raised concerns regarding the prosecution of British citizen Jimmy Lai and China’s broader human rights record during the respectful discussions.
Economically, the visit yielded tangible results, with Starmer reporting significant progress on reducing tariffs affecting UK whisky exports and advancing discussions on visa-free travel for citizens. Furthermore, the UK and China agreed to cooperate on combating human trafficking in the English Channel by restricting the flow of small boat engine parts to criminal organizations.
The visit, which includes a delegation of nearly 50 UK businesses such as HSBC and AstraZeneca, seeks to revitalize trade, as China was the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner in 2022. Starmer’s agenda prioritizes strengthening economic and security cooperation, aiming to move the relationship out of a prolonged diplomatic freeze.
Geopolitically, the trip occurs amid strained transatlantic relations, particularly concerning the US administration's trade policies, which adds a layer of complexity to London’s foreign economic strategy. Maintaining a consistent relationship with Beijing is viewed by the Prime Minister’s Office as firmly within the UK’s national interest.
Starmer is scheduled to continue his three-day visit with a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang before concluding the trip in Shanghai. The last official visit by a UK Prime Minister to Beijing occurred in 2018.
