British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Beijing for talks aimed at repairing strained ties and expanding economic cooperation, marking the first visit by a UK leader to China since 2018.

Starmer was welcomed by Xi at the Great Hall of the People, where they held a 40-minute discussion followed by lunch. Later, Starmer was scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang.

Accompanied by over 50 business leaders, the prime minister’s visit underscores the economic focus of the trip, with both nations seeking to deepen trade ties and business opportunities.

“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” Starmer told Xi at the start of the meeting. Xi responded by acknowledging the “twists and turns” in UK-China relations and expressed readiness to develop a long-term strategic partnership.

Economic goals

Starmer’s government has prioritized improving relations with China to boost trade and investment. The visit follows similar diplomatic efforts by Western nations, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently signed a trade deal with Beijing.

Kerry Brown, a China expert at King’s College London, noted that both sides would likely announce deals showcasing improved ties while avoiding contentious topics. Starmer’s itinerary, including engagement with Chinese business leaders and cultural exchanges, highlights the focus on practical economic cooperation.

Tackling migrant smuggling

A key outcome of the visit will be a UK-China deal to disrupt networks trafficking migrants into Europe. The agreement targets small boats powered by Chinese-made engines and will involve shared intelligence and collaboration with manufacturers to prevent exploitation by organized crime.

“This demonstrates how the UK and China can cooperate on practical security issues,” Downing Street said. The deal reflects a shared interest in curbing illegal migration while maintaining a constructive partnership.

Human rights

While economic cooperation dominates the agenda, Starmer affirmed he would raise human rights issues, including the case of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and British citizen convicted on national security charges.

The Prime Minister emphasized a “mature” approach to China, building on a policy shift after years of tension under previous Conservative governments, when concerns over investment restrictions and Hong Kong’s political crackdown strained relations.