British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, calling for a “long-term, consistent comprehensive strategic partnership.” The 80-minute meeting was the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years.
Starmer is the fourth U.S. ally leader to visit Beijing in January, following South Korea, Canada, and Finland. Germany’s chancellor visits next month.
China agreed to cut import tariffs on whisky from 10 percent to 5 percent and is considering visa-free travel for British citizens. The two countries signed 12 cooperation documents covering trade, agriculture, education, and market regulation.
More than 60 British business executives traveled with Starmer. Britain’s trade deficit with China reached £42 billion in the 12 months ending June 2025.
Xi said “China-U.K. relations experienced setbacks in previous years, which was not in the interests of either country.” Relations deteriorated over Chinese espionage allegations, China’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the Hong Kong crackdown.
Starmer raised the case of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen convicted in Hong Kong under Beijing’s national security law. Xi called for cooperation on artificial intelligence, bioscience, new energy, and low-carbon technologies.
Britain approved plans for a massive Chinese embassy in London last week after years of delays over security concerns. Trump has threatened tariffs on U.S. allies including Britain despite the “special relationship.” The UK economy is expected to grow 1.4 percent in 2026.
Five U.S. allies have scheduled or completed visits to Beijing since Trump took office. None scheduled visits to Washington.
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