Starmer: UK Wants Sophisticated Strategic Partnership with China

Keir Starmer used his first visit to China as British prime minister to signal a strategic reset with Beijing, telling Chinese President Xi Jinping that London wants a “sophisticated relationship” designed to support growth and security while managing areas of disagreement. The meeting, held Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, lasted 80 minutes and was followed by lunch. Starmer is in China for four days, the first such visit by a UK leader in eight years, and is scheduled to meet Premier Li Qiang later.

Opening talks with Xi, Starmer said, “China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course, also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree.”

He also told Xi that the UK and China need “a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Xi acknowledged that bilateral ties had seen “twists and turns,” adding that Beijing was ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership and that it can “deliver a result that can withstand the test of history.”

UK’s National Interest

Starmer framed engagement as a national economic imperative. Speaking a day before, he said, “It is in our national interest to engage with China. It is the second biggest economy in the world. If you take Hong Kong alongside China, it is our third biggest trading partner. There are huge opportunities to be found.”

More than 50 British business leaders accompanied him, underscoring the commercial thrust of the trip.

Resetting a Strained Relationship

Xi used the meeting to situate ties within a turbulent global environment. He told Starmer that “in the past year, the China-UK relationship had been troublesome” and that the international landscape is increasingly complex. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies, he said, China and the UK must strengthen dialogue and cooperation.

Xi also invoked symbolism, noting that the coming year will be the Year of the Horse, adding that Starmer’s visit was a good sign and that cooperation would “surely reach a higher level,” opening “a new chapter.”

Security Partnership

Downing Street said London and Beijing will announce cooperation against migrant smuggling networks, including steps to curb the use of Chinese-made engines on small boats used to transport asylum seekers across Europe. British and Chinese officials will share intelligence on supply routes and work with manufacturers to prevent organized crime from exploiting legitimate businesses.

The outreach is security between the UK and China comes despite persistent UK concerns over espionage and human rights. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, said Wednesday she would not have traveled to China because of the security risks. British security services have also said China routinely spies on the government, allegations Beijing denies.

Starmer said he would “raise the issues that need to be raised” on human rights, including the case of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and British citizen convicted in December on national security charges.

Hedging Against U.S. Volatility

Starmer’s diplomacy mirrors a broader Western recalibration toward China amid uncertainty from Washington under President Donald Trump. His trip followed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit, which produced an economic agreement to reduce trade barriers and drew criticism from Trump. Kerry Brown of King’s College London said he expects several UK-China deals to be announced, aimed at demonstrating improved relations.

The near-simultaneous visits by Britain’s Keir Starmer and Canada’s Mark Carney underscore a quiet act of diplomatic defiance against President Donald Trump’s unpredictable posture toward allies and China alike. By pressing ahead with engagement in Beijing despite U.S. pressure and tariff threats, both governments are signaling a willingness to pursue independent economic and strategic interests, even as Washington leans toward confrontation.

The Labour government’s pivot marks a contrast with previous Conservative administrations, which curtailed some Chinese investment over national security and criticized Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong. Starmer told Xi he promised 18 months ago to make Britain “face outwards again,” arguing that global events shape domestic prices and security at home.