<gu-island name="KeyEventsCarousel" priority="feature" deferuntil="visible" props="{"keyEvents":[{"id":"697abedb8f087bf3607f0db3","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the British PM’s trip to China. Keir Starmer has told Xi Jinping he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.
","elementId":"86736042-58e3-4586-a47f-bdc64ff2570e"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Speaking from Beijing, Starmer told Xi it had been “too long” since a British prime minister visited the country.
","elementId":"776a97ff-9217-423a-ad96-7b925246e7c2"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
“China is a vital player on the global stage and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” he said.
\n The Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar is in Beijing reporting on the meeting. Starmer also stressed the economic benefits of an improved relationship with China, saying:
","elementId":"978c456f-13b0-450a-9505-bbac0133b987"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"
\n
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.
\n Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.
\n
","elementId":"c424f8f7-92de-4a1d-af08-4cc5b8efbdae"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
Starmer’s trip to Beijing comes as he undertakes talk he hopes will strengthen the UK’s economic relationship with China after years of acrimony and amid British uncertainty on whether the US is still a reliable partner.
","elementId":"f5810cfd-1dd9-4871-b259-75c0945973f5"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"
We will bring you the latest developments in Beijing, live.
","elementId":"d730744e-84ba-4b9d-832e-8172250de100"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1769658824000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.53 EST","blockLastUpdated":1769658817000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"22.53 EST","blockFirstPublished":1769658824000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.53 EST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.53","title":"Opening summary","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 28 Jan 2026 22.53 EST","secondaryDateLine":"Last modified on Wed 28 Jan 2026 22.55 EST"}],"filterKeyEvents":false,"id":"key-events-carousel-mobile","renderingTarget":"Web","serverTime":1769658925661}”>
Key events
Opening summary
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the British PM’s trip to China. Keir Starmer has told Xi Jinping he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.
Speaking from Beijing, Starmer told Xi it had been “too long” since a British prime minister visited the country.
“China is a vital player on the global stage and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” he said.
The Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar is in Beijing reporting on the meeting. Starmer also stressed the economic benefits of an improved relationship with China, saying:
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, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.
Starmer’s trip to Beijing comes as he undertakes talk he hopes will strengthen the UK’s economic relationship with China after years of acrimony and amid British uncertainty on whether the US is still a reliable partner.
We will bring you the latest developments in Beijing, live.
