London – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, signaling a potential thaw in relations after years of tension stemming from espionage concerns and geopolitical disagreements.
Strengthening Ties and Addressing Global Challenges
The UK and China are poised to collaborate on tackling human trafficking and curbing the flow of illicit boat engines used in cross-Channel migration.
- Starmer is the first UK prime minister to visit china in eight years.
- A key agreement is expected to focus on intelligence sharing to combat people-trafficking.
- Both nations aim to address the supply of small boat engines used in illegal Channel crossings.
- The visit comes as China seeks to capitalize on shifts in the Western alliance.
What is the primary goal of Sir Keir StarmerS visit to China? The UK prime minister’s trip aims to establish a “thorough, sustained, stable, strategic approach” to the relationship with China, focusing on areas of mutual interest and positive collaboration.
Starmer’s Thursday schedule included a meeting with Zhao Leji, the head of China’s National People’s Congress. A working lunch with Xi Jinping followed, with further discussions planned with Premier Li Qiang and business leaders from both countries later in the day.
zhao Leji lauded Starmer’s efforts to improve ties, noting that relations are now “on the correct track to enhancement and development” and that “positive progress has been made” amidst a “changing and turbulent international landscape.”
Starmer echoed this sentiment, stating, “We have made this trip as I believe it is indeed strongly in our common interest to find positive ways to work together, and that has been our long-standing position.”
Chinese state media has prominently featured coverage of the visit, reflecting Beijing’s interest in leveraging perceived divisions within the Western alliance, notably those created by economic and military policies from the United States.
Xinhua, China’s state-owned news agency, reported on Wednesday that “Since the UK Labour government came to power, it has clearly stated its willingness to develop a coherent, lasting, and strategic UK-China relationship.”
Downing Street officials detailed a border-security pact that will see UK teams collaborating with Chinese authorities to disrupt the supply chain of small boat engines and
sharing to pinpoint smuggling routes and working with Chinese manufacturers to prevent exploitation of legitimate businesses.
Upon arriving in Beijing on Wednesday evening,Starmer told a delegation of business and cultural representatives that they were “making history.” He reiterated his commitment to “engaging and building a comprehensive, sustained, stable, strategic approach to China.”
