Beijing (China) [China], January 29 (HBTV): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Chinese state media reported.
The two leaders last met in November 2024 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil. Starmer began his official visit to China on Wednesday, accompanied by senior executives from more than 50 major British firms, and said the trip was aimed at delivering results for the British people.
‘Touched down in China — I’m here to deliver for the British people,’ Starmer said in a post on X as he commenced his visit, scheduled to run from January 28 to 31.
According to the Chinese daily Global Times, several British businesses expressed optimism about China’s long-term economic prospects during the visit and reaffirmed their commitment to investing in the Chinese market.
Starmer’s visit comes amid shifting global dynamics and domestic pressure in the UK to balance economic opportunities with security concerns. It marks the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years and is being closely watched by capitals from Beijing to Washington.
Accompanied by senior ministers and a delegation of more than 50 business leaders, Starmer is also expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment and broader cooperation, with both sides framing the visit as an opportunity to deepen economic engagement and political trust.
Starmer’s trip offers an opportunity to expand cooperation, boost trade in goods and services, promote two-way investment and unlock further growth potential, Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, told the Global Times. Winters is part of the UK’s business delegation.
Standard Chartered, which has operated in China for 168 years, said it remains optimistic about China’s long-term economic prospects and continues to expand its business in the country.
In 2025, China–UK trade in goods reached USD 103.7 billion, while trade in services was estimated to exceed USD 30 billion. Two-way investment stock stood at nearly USD 68 billion, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.
Despite global uncertainties and domestic challenges, China’s economy grew by 5 per cent in 2025 to reach a record 140.19 trillion yuan, equivalent to USD 20.01 trillion, data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics showed, boosting confidence among British companies, the Global Times reported.
‘Our confidence in the Chinese market has never wavered,’ Fu Yue, head of corporate affairs for the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong at British consumer health company Haleon, told the Global Times. He cited Haleon’s full acquisition of its Tianjin joint venture and expanded production plans in Suzhou as evidence of its long-term commitment.
China is increasingly acting as a stabilising force in the global economy, Jack Perry Junior, chairman of the 48 Group Club and chief executive of London Export Corp, told the Global Times, highlighting China’s contributions in robotics, automation and clean technologies.
However, the visit has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and commentators in the UK, who have raised national security concerns. These include debate over the UK government’s approval of a proposed large Chinese embassy in London and broader concerns about espionage and foreign influence, according to reports.
The diplomatic outreach is further complicated by tensions with the United States. Starmer’s engagement with Beijing comes at a time of strained transatlantic relations, with US President Donald Trump having pursued confrontational trade policies and criticised key allies. Some analysts view the UK’s outreach to China as part of a broader recalibration by Western nations seeking alternatives amid uncertainty in US policy.
Human rights and geopolitical security issues remain sensitive topics as the visit unfolds. Both sides are expected to assess how far economic pragmatism can be balanced with strategic caution, shaping what London has described as a ‘consistent, durable and respectful’ bilateral relationship in a rapidly changing global environment. (ANI)