UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “vital” for Britain to forge a “more sophisticated relationship” with China as he became the first British leader to visit the country in eight years.
The four-day visit comes as Starmer seeks to repair frayed relations with the world’s second-largest economy amid mounting global tensions fueled in part by the actions of Britain’s closest ally, the United States.
“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks at Beijing’s ornate Great Hall of the People on Thursday.
“Our international partnerships help us deliver the security and prosperity the British people deserve, and that is why I’ve long been clear that the UK and China need a long-term, consistent, and comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.
Xi also said China was open to developing a “stable and comprehensive strategic partnership,” according to remarks delivered to the visiting British leader, and urged both sides to “create new momentum” in bilateral ties.
Starmer’s trip follows a growing trend of leaders from US-aligned countries visiting Beijing as uncertainty grows around US foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
Trump’s tariff threats and unpredictable rhetoric, including comments earlier this month suggesting the United States could take control of Danish territory Greenland, have disrupted America’s traditional alliances.
The visit is a central part of Starmer’s effort to reset relations with China after years marked by mistrust and tension, and fits into his wider strategy to expand trade links and deliver economic growth through stronger business engagement with Beijing.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Xi, Starmer described the talks as a “very good, constructive meeting with real outcomes,” highlighting the “huge opportunities” available for British companies operating in China. He added that relations with Beijing were in “good place, a strong place.”
According to Starmer, the two sides made “some really good progress” on lowering Chinese tariffs on whisky and improving visa-free travel arrangements, although he said discussions were still ongoing. He also pointed to security cooperation on “irregular migration” to Britain as another important outcome of the talks.
“They’re examples of a much wider opening of access for business that we discussed at great length,” he added.
Nearly 60 business and cultural representatives are traveling with Starmer as part of the delegation, including major British firms such as HSBC, GSK, and Jaguar Land Rover. The group is also expected to visit China’s financial hub, Shanghai.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping
The visit, which follows trips by Canada’s Mark Carney earlier this month and France’s Emmanuel Macron in December, is widely viewed as advantageous for Xi.
Analysts say Beijing has long aimed to weaken unity between the US and its allies on China-related issues, while positioning itself as a dependable supporter of free trade and globalization in contrast to the uncertainty created by Trump’s “America First” policies.
During talks with Starmer, Xi referenced the rise of “unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics,” according to a statement released by Chinese state media. He portrayed China and the UK as champions of multilateralism and free trade, capable of working together to “promote the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system.”
Starmer also acknowledged global instability, telling Xi in his opening remarks that “working together on issues like climate change and global stability during challenging times for the world is precisely what we should be doing as we build this relationship.”
He said both sides should “identify opportunities to collaborate but of course also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree.”
When reporters asked whether he had raised human rights concerns, including the imprisonment of pro-Hong Kong democracy publisher Jimmy Lai and alleged abuses against China’s Uyghur minority, Starmer confirmed that he had, saying the issues were discussed in a “respectful” manner.
Starmer has consistently argued that improving ties with China is essential to expanding opportunities for British businesses. His Labour government, which took office in 2024, pledged to place UK-China relations on a more stable and pragmatic footing.
The visit comes just a week after Britain approved plans for China to construct a large new embassy near London’s financial district. That proposal had been delayed for months due to security concerns, as the site is close to fiber-optic cables carrying sensitive financial data, raising fears it could be used for surveillance of Chinese nationals in the UK.
Starmer has previously maintained that boosting trade and strengthening relations with China does not necessarily come at the expense of national security.
However, he is expected to face pressure to strike a careful balance in his dealings with Xi, particularly as the talks will be closely monitored by Washington.
After Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to Beijing, during which he announced cuts to tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles, Trump warned he would impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursued a trade deal with China.
The timing of Starmer’s trip also coincides with growing unease across Europe over China’s record $1.2 trillion global trade surplus, which has raised concerns that an influx of low-cost Chinese goods is undermining domestic industries.
