UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has begun the first visit to China by a British leader since 2018, signalling a cautious effort to stabilise political and economic ties with Beijing as relations between Western capitals and the United States grow more volatile.
Speaking en route, Starmer said the UK must remain vigilant on security while engaging pragmatically with the world’s second-largest economy. He is travelling with a delegation of more than 50 business leaders and is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, before continuing to Shanghai for talks with executives.
The visit follows years of strained UK–China relations over Hong Kong, Beijing’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and allegations of espionage raised by British security services.
Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s close defence, intelligence, and trade relationship with the United States under President Donald Trump, while expressing hope for progress on economic cooperation and limited visa arrangements with China.
ℹ️ Reuters
Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh
tut0ugh 