Sir Keir Starmer has become the first UK prime minister to visit China in eight years, holding talks with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting, which lasted around 40 minutes, is part of a push to deepen economic ties at a time when some in government fear the US is no longer a reliable partner.
China is the world's second-largest economy and the UK's third-largest trading partner, with annual exports of goods and services worth £45bn. Starmer said he wanted to bring “stability and clarity” to bilateral relations after years of “inconsistency” under the previous Tory government, which saw ties swing from “golden age to ice age”. The prime minister also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Starmer insisted he was “clear-eyed” about the threat China poses to UK national security, with Downing Street saying “guardrails” would be in place to protect against espionage. He vowed to raise difficult human rights issues, including the case of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, and the situation of the Uyghur community. Downing Street will also monitor US President Donald Trump's reaction, but said the UK would not be forced to “choose between” China and the US.
The visit has drawn fierce criticism from political opponents. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she would not visit China “at this time” if she were in charge, claiming China “is doing everything it can to undermine our economy”. The government has also faced backlash for approving a Chinese mega-embassy near Tower Bridge.
Among the deals expected is an agreement to tackle the supply of boat parts from China used by people-smugglers bringing migrants to the UK in small boats. The accord will involve intelligence-sharing on illicit exports and engagement with manufacturers. It also aims to deepen cooperation on serious organised crime, including trafficking of synthetic opioids linked to over 750 UK deaths.
Starmer gave Xi a football used in a recent match between Manchester United and Arsenal, noting Xi is a United fan while the prime minister supports Arsenal. The two leaders previously met at the G20 summit in Rio in late 2024. The trip is seen as part of Starmer's more open but cautious approach to China, seeking a balance between commercial engagement and limiting China's influence on UK infrastructure.
