UK’s Starmer courts China

The prime minister previously dubbed Beijing a “national security threat” but has insisted on fostering business ties

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in a bid to reset ties marred by years of tension. The visit comes amid a strain in UK-US relations and despite British intelligence services accusing China of espionage – a claim Beijing has denied.

Starmer’s trip marks the first British prime ministerial visit to China in eight years. During talks that lasted about 80 minutes, Starmer described the visit as “historic,” telling Xi he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.

Starmer added that China is “a vital player on the global stage” and that Britain needs ties that can “identify opportunities to collaborate” while keeping “meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree.”

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Before flying out, Starmer’s spokesman said the government was “clear-eyed” about the alleged threat China posed, but Britain could not afford to “stick our heads in the sand.” Starmer also said the UK approach had swung from “Golden Age to the Ice Age,” adding, “like it or not, China matters to the UK.” 

Prior to the trip, the UK prime minister also promised to raise the issue of human rights with Xi, but made no mention of them during on-camera remarks.

Xi acknowledged that ties had been marred by “twists and turns that did not serve our interests” and framed deeper dialogue as “imperative” in a “turbulent and fluid” world, saying both sides must “rise above differences” and cooperate for “world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples.”

The two sides are expected to sign several agreements later in the visit, covering visa-free travel and mutual recognition of professional qualifications, although major breakthroughs are not anticipated.

Starmer traveled to Beijing despite claims by Britain’s intelligence services that China is targeting the UK government and lawmakers for spying – allegations Beijing has denied – and amid criticism at home that he is seeking to appease Xi. Starmer himself claimed in December that China posed “national security threats” to the UK, but said Britain would benefit from improved business ties with Beijing.

The visit also comes amid a cooling of traditionally close US-UK ties, as President Donald Trump has sparred with European nations over the future of Greenland. Western media have suggested that Starmer’s China outreach could draw Trump’s ire, given that the US president has repeatedly cast Beijing as America’s primary rival.