 "Starmer meets Xi, calls Beijing 'vital player' on global scale as UK and China reset ties")
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, calling Beijing a “vital player” on a global scale. Starmer is in China for a historic visit, aimed at bolstering economic ties between the two nations. This visit is significant since Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years.
In his opening remarks during a joint press conference with the Chinese leader, Starmer called Beijing a “vital player on a global scale”, adding that he “looks forward to taking [both countries’] relationship further”. The last time the two leaders met face to face was back in 2024, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil.
According to the BBC, during the Thursday meeting, Starmer told Xi that he wanted a “more sophisticated” relationship with China. It’s been “too long” since a British PM visited the country, Starmer told Xi. The UK PM went on to stress the economic benefits of an improved relationship with China. Starmer said: “It is with the British people in mind that I am here today.”
I made the promise 18 months ago, when we were elected into government, that I would make Britain face outwards again. Because, as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, from prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel," he added.
Engagement with China is ‘unavoidable’: Xi
Meanwhile, Xi noted in his opening remarks that the UK-China relationship in recent years had seen “twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries”. “China-UK relations went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries," Xi said.
The Chinese president went on to describe the state of the world as “turbulent and fluid” Xi said more dialogue between the UK and China was “imperative”, whether it was “for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples”. “In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations," he said.
“China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples," the Chinese leader averred. “Engagement with China is an unavoidable issue, and I express my appreciation for this,” Xi went on to say. “Good things often take time and effort,” he said.
Quick Reads
View All“As long as something is the right thing to do and serves the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples… We should take a long-term view,” Xi said, adding that both countries should “rise above differences and uphold mutual respect,” he said.
After the presser, the two leaders headed for a closed-door bilateral meeting. While it was initially scheduled for 40 minutes, the meeting, according to the BBC, has now extended to more than an hour.
 "Is a US-Iran conflict imminent as Trump issues nuclear ultimatum?")
 "Tilting to left and then crash… The moments before Ajit Pawar’s plane crashed and turned into a fireball")
 "ICE agents in Minnesota instructed to avoid confrontations with protesters after fatal shootings")
 "Economic Survey 2026 Live Updates: Focus on GDP as FM Sitharaman to table India’s economic ‘report card’ in Parliament")
 "Is a US-Iran conflict imminent as Trump issues nuclear ultimatum?")
 "Tilting to left and then crash… The moments before Ajit Pawar’s plane crashed and turned into a fireball")
 "ICE agents in Minnesota instructed to avoid confrontations with protesters after fatal shootings")
 "Economic Survey 2026 Live Updates: Focus on GDP as FM Sitharaman to table India’s economic ‘report card’ in Parliament")
