British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People during his four-day visit to China. This marked the first such trip by a British prime minister in eight years and represented an attempt to re-establish positive relations after previous tensions.
Starmer, whose Labour Party government has struggled to deliver promised growth, emphasized that improving ties with China is now a top priority despite lingering concerns about espionage and human rights issues. “China is vital on the global stage,” Starmer told Xi at their meeting. “We need to build a relationship where we can work together to create opportunities, but also have meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement.”
Xi responded by stating that past relations had not served either country well and welcomed China-Britain’s development into a long-term strategic partnership. The visit was expected to produce several bilateral agreements aimed at showcasing improved relations between the two nations.
This diplomatic engagement came after Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada signed an economic deal with Beijing, drawing criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. Starmer’s trip coincided with British security concerns regarding Chinese espionage and China’s alleged suppression of political freedoms in Hong Kong under previous Conservative governments.
Starmer promised to uphold Britain’s position as a proactive international player, noting how events abroad can impact domestic issues like prices at supermarkets and public safety. He announced plans for joint action against criminal networks involved in human smuggling across Europe.
While Starmer indicated he would raise concerns about human rights with Xi, his presence of over 50 business leaders highlighted the centrality of economic ties to this visit. Downing Street revealed that Britain and China would jointly tackle issues related to illegal migration and organized crime.
Starmer’s interaction at a Chinese restaurant included him learning how to pronounce the Chinese word for “thank you” (‘xie xie’) with staff, which he shared on social media.