British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to advance a more robust strategic partnership during Starmer’s visit to Beijing, marking the first such trip by a UK leader in eight years. At the Great Hall of the People, Starmer emphasized the importance of establishing a long-term, stable, and comprehensive relationship between the two nations. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration on global challenges like climate change and international stability, while also acknowledging differences that require open dialogue.
The prime minister confirmed that discussions covered sensitive topics, including the case of Jimmy Lai and broader human rights concerns, which were raised in a respectful manner. Despite past tensions related to Hong Kong and espionage allegations, both sides expressed willingness to move forward constructively. Progress was reported on several fronts, such as reducing whisky export tariffs, advancing talks on reciprocal visa-free travel, and enhancing cooperation on irregular migration, particularly involving small boat crossings in the English Channel.
A new agreement will facilitate collaboration between UK law enforcement and Chinese authorities to prevent smuggling networks from acquiring small boat engines. Starmer’s delegation, which includes representatives from nearly 50 British firms and institutions such as HSBC, British Airways, AstraZeneca, and GSK, is expected to engage in business discussions in Shanghai. China ranked as the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner in 2022, according to official data. The visit occurs amid shifting global dynamics, including strained UK–US relations under a renewed Trump administration, adding strategic weight to London’s outreach to Beijing.
Correspondent Katrina Yu noted that Starmer faces the challenge of thawing a diplomatic relationship long affected by mutual distrust. His approach centers on identifying shared interests while addressing disagreements transparently. The outcome of the summit reflects what officials describe as a productive and results-oriented dialogue.
— news from Al Jazeera