British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he wants to build a “sophisticated relationship” with China aimed at boosting economic growth and strengthening security, signalling a potential breakthrough in bilateral ties after years of strained relations.
Starmer made the remarks on Thursday during talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the most significant engagement of his four-day visit to China. The trip is the first by a British prime minister in eight years, and it concluded with a working lunch between both leaders.
The UK prime minister, whose centre-left Labour government has faced challenges in delivering promised economic growth, has prioritised improving relations with the world’s second-largest economy, despite ongoing concerns over espionage and human rights.
“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree,” Starmer said at the start of the meeting.
In response, President Xi said relations between China and Britain had experienced “twists and turns” that did not serve the interests of either country, adding that China was ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership with the UK.
Starmer is the latest Western leader to engage China diplomatically, as countries increasingly hedge against policy unpredictability from the United States under President Donald Trump. Trump’s repeated threats of trade tariffs and controversial remarks about taking control of Greenland have unsettled long-standing allies, including Britain.
The British leader’s visit comes shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Beijing, where he signed an economic agreement aimed at reducing trade barriers, a move that reportedly angered Washington.
Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies at King’s College London, said several UK–China agreements were likely to be announced to demonstrate improved relations.
“This must look like it’s been a success,” Brown said. “For both sides, they don’t want a meeting which is going to be arguing about things they disagree on.”
Under previous Conservative governments, UK–China relations deteriorated as London restricted some Chinese investments over national security concerns and raised issues about political freedoms in Hong Kong. Starmer has since adopted a policy of renewed engagement with Beijing.
“I made the promise 18 months ago, when we were elected into government, that I would make Britain face outwards again,” Starmer told Xi.
