Starmer ends Beijing meeting with Xi as both call to 'strengthen' ties

The meeting between UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing's Great Hall of the People has ended, Downing Street confirmed, on the most important day of Starmer's four-day visit — the first by a British prime minister since 2018. Starmer was welcomed earlier by National People’s Congress chairman Zhao Leji; a pool report quoted Zhao saying it was “significant” to develop the UK-China relationship “well” amid the “changing and turbulent international landscape” and that “positive progress has been made.” Starmer said: “This is a historic visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years” and that he looked forward to “a very productive few days discussing issues of global stability and security, growth and shared challenges like climate change.” Xi told Starmer the relationship had seen “twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries” and said the two nations must “strengthen” ties.

PA Media reported Xi as saying the current international situation was “complex and intertwined” and that “more dialogue” between the UK and China was “imperative” for world peace, stability and mutual economic interests. State news agency Xinhua reported the talks were expected to cover trade ties, national security and human rights.

Downing Street said Starmer and Xi would announce that Britain and China would work together to tackle gangs involved in trafficking illegal migrants.

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