Keir Starmer meets Xi Jinping and calls for ‘more sophisticated’ relationship with China

Sir Keir Starmer has met with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking a crucial moment in efforts to reset diplomatic relations between the UK and China.

The PM sat down with Mr Xi on Thursday in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, beginning their talks by telling the president he wants a "more sophisticated'' relationship with China.

At the beginning of a meeting that lasted an hour and 20 minutes, Sir Keir said it had been “too long” since a British prime minister had visited China, which he described as a “vital player on the global stage”.

“China-UK relations went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries,” he said.

Mr Xi’s opening remarks noted that “in the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations”.

He told Sir Keir the two men would “stand the test of history” if they could “rise above differences”.

He said: “Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention. Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead fortitude.”

The PM has faced considerable pressure at home to address China's human rights record, particularly concerning the detention of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the treatment of the Uyghur minority.

Earlier Sir Keir remained tight-lipped on the specifics of what he intended to raise with Mr Xi, stating only that he has "always raised the issues that need to be raised" on foreign trips but would not "get ahead of" himself.

Thursday’s day of talks with the Chinese leadership began with Sir Keir meeting the chairman of China's National People's Congress, Zhao Leji.

Mr Zhao said it was "significant" to develop the UK-China relationship amid the "changing and turbulent international landscape". He also praised Sir Keir's efforts to reach a rapprochement with China, saying relations were on "the correct track to improvement and development" and "positive progress has been made".

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Sir Keir said: "This is a historic visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years. We have made this trip because I believe it is strongly in our common interest to find positive ways to work together, and that has been our long-standing position. I look forward to a very productive few days discussing issues of global stability and security, growth and shared challenges like climate change.”

Later on Thursday, Sir Keir is also scheduled to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang, where a series of new agreements between the two nations are expected to be signed. A significant focus is anticipated to be a joint UK-Chinese law enforcement operation designed to combat illegal Channel crossings by disrupting the supply of small boat engines.

This initiative aims to tackle the issue at its source, given that approximately 60 per cent of engines powering small boats across the Channel are Chinese-manufactured, with many vessels also utilising Chinese components.

The proposed deal is understood to encompass intelligence sharing on smugglers' supply routes and direct engagement with Chinese manufacturers to deter them from supplying criminal gangs. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance the removal of individuals without legal residency in the UK and intensify efforts against Chinese organised crime groups involved in manufacturing synthetic opioids.

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Ministers are hopeful that this agreement will contribute to a significant reduction in Channel crossings, a key pledge made by Labour ahead of the election. Sir Keir emphasised the deal's importance, stating: "This deal will help us cut off the supply of boats at source – stopping crossings before lives are put at risk and restoring control to our borders." He added, "This is Britain back at the top table, delivering real results for the British people through our international relationships."

The prime minister's visit underscores a broader strategy to deliver tangible benefits for the British public, a recurring theme throughout his trip. To this end, he is accompanied by a delegation of 54 representatives from British businesses and cultural institutions, all seeking to strengthen ties with China.

Addressing the group on Wednesday, Sir Keir declared they were "making history" as the government strives to build a more "consistent" relationship with Beijing. He underscored the domestic focus, adding: "Everything that you’re doing here, that I’m doing here, is focused on how do we benefit people at home in the United Kingdom where, whatever’s going on in the world, I’m afraid, their number one concern will be the cost of living."