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Sir Keir Starmer has claimed British relations with China are in a “good, strong position” after meeting Xi Jinping in Beijing in an effort to improve relations strained by years of spying scandals and geopolitical tensions.
Starmer said the talks at the Great Hall of the People had been “very warm and constructive” and that British officials hoped to push China to cut tariffs on whiskey and new trade deals.
Shortly after the meeting, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced a $15 billion investment in China to expand manufacturing and research and development in the country – including a prior commitment of $2.5 billion.
Meanwhile, China announced it would ease visa rules for British citizens, removing the requirement for visits of less than 30 days and bringing Britain in line with 50 other countries including France, Germany and Japan.
The two sides also launched a “feasibility study” to explore whether to negotiate a bilateral services agreement, which – if ever realized – would provide a big boost to UK financial and business services firms.
Downing Street said Starmer had raised China’s record on human rights and the jailing of Hong Kong tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, but repeatedly refused to give details of what he said.
Starmer said he wanted Britain to have a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.
British officials said Starmer’s engagement with Xi – which included bilateral talks, a “tete-a-tete” and a banquet – lasted about three hours. Starmer also raised Russia’s war in Ukraine, but Downing Street declined to say whether the prime minister had urged China to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict.
China suggested it could work constructively with Britain to uphold international law and free trade, as it seeks to wean European countries away from the US and Donald Trump’s erratic policies.
Xi told Starmer, “International law is only truly effective when all countries abide by it, and major powers in particular must take the lead; otherwise, they will retreat into a jungle-like world.”
In his opening remarks, Xi took a veiled dig at Britain’s opposition Conservative Party, which has criticized Starmer’s visit and fiercely opposed his Labor government’s approval of Beijing’s new super-embassy in London this month.
Xi told Starmer that “China-UK relations went through some ups and downs that did not serve the interests of our countries”. He said: “In the past, Labor governments made important contributions to the development of China-UK relations.”
The Tories have claimed Starmer is getting little in return for labeling Xi a “kowtow”, although British officials say new trade deals will be revealed in the coming days.
AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said the company’s investment is the drugmaker’s largest ever in China, which he said “has become an important contributor to scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing and global public health”.
Starmer is also due to sign a deal with Xi to share intelligence to combat people-smuggling gangs and to reduce the supply of Chinese-made small boat engines used in Channel crossings.
An agreement was also reached to explore greater exchanges between legislators in London and Beijing, although China has imposed sanctions on nine British MPs over their criticism of Beijing’s persecution of minority Uighurs in Xinjiang.
Starmer said “progress” had been made on sanctions. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has refused entry to Chinese politicians in protest against the measures.
Xi also told Starmer during the meeting that China would “actively consider” granting visa-free entry to British citizens, according to state news agency Xinhua. China has relaxed visa restrictions on many European countries in recent years.
China has sought to take advantage of the growing rift in the West following Donald Trump’s threat to seize Greenland and new threats of tariffs against US allies including Britain. Starmer’s visit follows Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing this month.
Xi said Britain and China should rise above differences between their countries as partners in the pursuit of “world peace” amid “turbulent and unstable” global affairs. He said China and Britain should “jointly advocate” for a “more fair global governance system” and “orderly multi-polarity”.
“As leaders, we must not retreat from difficulties and move forward with patience,” Xi said. He also cited a Chinese proverb that said: “Stretch your gaze over a long distance.”
Citing the Lunar New Year next month, he said Starmer’s visit was “a sign of good fortune”.
Starmer also met with Zhao Leji, the head of China’s rubber-stamp parliament, and Premier Li Qiang, Xi’s second-ranking official, as well as business leaders from both countries.
Under the border-security agreement, UK teams will work with Chinese authorities to prevent small boat engines and equipment used in Channel crossings from falling into the hands of criminal gangs, Downing Street said.
Number 10 said the plan included sharing intelligence to identify smugglers’ supply routes and working with Chinese manufacturers to protect businesses from exploitation.
