Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Beijing, marking the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years.
He said the trip is aimed at delivering tangible benefits for people in the UK as he seeks to reset relations with Beijing after years of strained and inconsistent engagement.
Starmer travelled with a delegation of nearly 60 representatives from British business, sport and cultural institutions, underlining the government’s focus on trade and economic cooperation.
China is the UK’s third-largest trading partner, the world’s second-largest economy and supports an estimated 370,000 British jobs. Downing Street has described engagement with Beijing as vital for British interests.
Ahead of the visit, the prime minister criticised past approaches to China, saying relations had swung between a “Golden Age” and an “Ice Age”. He said the UK now needed a more comprehensive and consistent strategy, recognising China’s global importance while protecting national security.
During his stay in Beijing, Starmer is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on trade, investment and security issues. He will then travel to Shanghai for meetings with British and Chinese companies. Among those accompanying him are representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover and the National Theatre.
The visit comes amid concerns over China’s national security risks and its human rights record, making the trip politically sensitive. Asked whether he would raise issues such as the treatment of Uyghur Muslims and pro-democracy campaigners, Starmer said engagement was necessary so that areas of disagreement could be addressed alongside cooperation.
Downing Street has privately acknowledged the UK has fallen behind European partners in senior-level visits to China, noting that French and German leaders have made multiple trips since Theresa May’s visit in 2018. Starmer said he was looking forward to the trip and believed it would deliver real progress.
Security concerns have also shaped the visit, with the prime minister and his team advised not to bring personal mobile phones due to cyber risks.
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