British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on Thursday, January 29, signalled a shift in UK–China relations, expressing his desire to build what he described as a “sophisticated relationship” with Beijing to support economic growth and strengthen global security.
The comments came during the most significant day of Starmer’s four-day visit to China, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, marked by an 80-minute summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, followed by a working lunch. Starmer is also scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang.
Starmer, whose centre-left Labour government has faced pressure to deliver on its economic growth agenda, has prioritised improving ties with the world’s second-largest economy, despite persistent concerns over espionage and human rights.
“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree,” Starmer told President Xi at the start of their meeting.
President Xi said relations between the two countries had experienced “twists and turns” that served neither side’s interests, adding that China was ready to pursue a long-term strategic partnership with Britain.
“We can deliver a result that can withstand the test of history,” Xi said, flanked by senior Chinese officials.
Starmer’s engagement with Beijing comes amid renewed diplomatic activity between China and Western nations, as governments seek to hedge against uncertainty in relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.
Trump’s intermittent threats of trade tariffs and remarks about asserting control over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, have unsettled long-standing allies, including Britain.
The UK prime minister’s visit follows closely after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trip to China, during which Ottawa signed an economic agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers, an outcome that drew criticism from Washington.
Kerry Brown, a professor of Chinese studies at King’s College London, said several agreements between Britain and China were expected to be announced as a signal of improving relations. Starmer is accompanied by more than 50 business leaders, underlining his push for tangible economic gains from the visit.
Source: Reuters
