Starmer and Xi call for deeper UK-China ties as Trump shakes up global alliances

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - BEIJING — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping called Thursday for a “strategic partnership” to deepen ties between their nations at a time of growing global turbulence.

Starmer’s four-day trip to Beijing comes as he looks to mend strained ties with the world’s second biggest economy in the face of global frictions unleashed by Britain’s closest ally the United States.

“I think that working together on issues like climate change, global stability during challenging times for the world is precisely what we should be doing as we build this relationship in the way that I’ve described,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting in Beijing.

The two met for 80 minutes — double the scheduled time — in the Great Hall of the People as their nations try to improve ties after several years of acrimony.

Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony that was returned to China in 1997.

Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit in eight years. His trip, which ends on Saturday, has yielded a raft of business announcements and government agreements, including a deal allowing UK tourists and business visitors visa-free stays in China for up to 30 days.

“In the current turbulent and ever-changing international situation ... China and the U.K. need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to maintain world peace and stability,” he said.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Xi had stressed, without mentioning the US directly, that “major powers” must adhere to international law or the world would regress into a “jungle.”

Starmer’s Downing Street office said Britain wanted “a consistent, long-term, and strategic partnership that will benefit both countries.”

After the meeting, Starmer said the leaders had made “really good progress” on issues including slashing Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky and introducing visa-free travel for British visitors.

“The relationship is in a good place, a strong place,” the British leader said.

Xi appeared to acknowledge the criticism that Starmer has faced for reaching out to China despite national security and human rights concerns. The United Kingdom recently approved controversial plans for a huge Chinese Embassy in London, removing a sticking point in relations but also overriding fears that the “mega-embassy” would make it easier for China to conduct espionage and intimidate dissidents.

“Good things often come with difficulties,” Xi said. “As long as it is the right thing to do in accordance with the fundamental interests of the country and its people, leaders will not shy away from difficulties and will forge ahead bravely.”

When asked by reporters if he had brought up human right concerns – including the jailing of pro-Hong Kong democracy publisher Jimmy Lai and alleged abuses against the Uyghur minority group in China – Starmer said he raised those issues and had a “respectful discussion.”

Starmer is the latest in a string of leaders from US allies traveling to Beijing as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs threats and unpredictable foreign policy – including rhetoric earlier this month threatening to take control of Danish territory Greenland – upend America’s longstanding partnerships.

A delegation of nearly 60 businesses and cultural groups are traveling as part of Starmer’s delegation, including British corporate giants HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover. The group is also expected to visit China’a financial capital Shanghai. — Agencies

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