The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has arrived in Beijing for a three-day official visit, marking the first visit by a UK government leader to China since 2018.
The trip includes high-level meetings with China’s President and senior government officials, as both countries look to reset parts of their relationship after several years of political strain.
The visit comes at a time when China remains the UK’s third-largest trading partner, despite tensions over security, human rights, and technology policy.
Trade between the two countries is worth tens of billions of pounds annually, spanning sectors such as automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, financial services, and consumer products.
Before his departure, the Prime Minister said: "For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK.
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"As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.
"This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent co-operation abroad.”
UK officials say the focus of the visit is practical economic cooperation, particularly around specific brands and trade channels that rely heavily on access to Chinese markets.
Several UK companies with strong brand recognition in China are understood to be seeking clearer rules and more stable conditions for long-term investment and exports.
Talks are expected to cover tariffs, supply chains, and regulatory barriers, as well as intellectual property protection for British brands operating in China. The Prime Minister is also expected to raise concerns around market access and fairness, while avoiding a broader political confrontation.
Chinese state media has framed the visit as a step toward stabilising relations and expanding mutually beneficial trade. Officials in Beijing have highlighted the importance of cooperation at a time of global economic uncertainty.
Critics in the UK have questioned the timing of the visit, arguing that economic engagement should not overshadow wider political concerns. Government sources, however, insist that dialogue is necessary to protect British commercial interests and jobs.
The visit signals a cautious shift toward re-engagement, with both sides emphasising trade and economic issues while setting aside more contentious topics, at least for now.
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