Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to stress the importance of strengthening bilateral relations amid global geopolitical challenges. Starmer’s visit marks the first by a British prime minister since 2018 and follows a trend of Western leaders seeking closer ties with Beijing as relations with the United States have grown more unpredictable.
During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Starmer described China as a “vital player on the global stage” and emphasized the need for a “more sophisticated relationship” that balances collaboration with constructive dialogue on areas of disagreement. Xi Jinping echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of a long-term view, stronger ties, and cooperation to maintain world peace, stability, and economic development. Xi noted that overcoming difficulties would be necessary but said that joint efforts could open a “new chapter” in China-UK relations.
Starmer also met China’s third-ranking official Zhao Leji, who said bilateral relations were on “the correct track to improvement and development.” The prime minister is expected to hold talks with Premier Li Qiang and will travel to Shanghai before making a brief stop in Japan to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two countries are set to sign a cooperation agreement targeting supply chains used by migrant smugglers, an issue central to Starmer’s domestic agenda to crack down on irregular migration.
Relations between London and Beijing previously flourished during what was described as a “Golden Era,” but ties have deteriorated since 2020 due to Beijing’s national security law in Hong Kong, the crackdown on pro-democracy activists, human rights concerns, alleged spying and cyberattacks, and China’s perceived support for Russia in Ukraine. Starmer is expected to raise the case of Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced for collusion charges.
Despite tensions, China remains Britain’s third-largest trading partner, though UK exports to China fell 52.6 percent year-on-year in 2025. Starmer’s visit, following a trade-focused trip by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves last year, reflects the Labour government’s efforts to boost economic growth through improved trade ties with China, especially as Britain navigates a strained relationship with the United States.
