Xi urges ‘stable’ partnership as Starmer makes first China trip by British PM in 8 years

China and Britain need to deepen dialogue and strengthen cooperation amid an increasingly complex international environment, Chinese President Xi Jinping said as he began talks with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

In brief opening remarks at their meeting on Thursday, the Chinese leader said Beijing was willing to work with Britain.

“China stands ready to work with the UK to foster a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership,” Xi said.

Starmer, who started his four-day visit to China on Wednesday, is on a mission to repair his country’s relations with Beijing, after ties soured under the Conservative Party despite its earlier efforts to establish a “golden era” in relations between the two countries. It is the first visit to China by a British prime minister since Theresa May’s trip in 2018.

Starmer told Xi that it had been “far too long” since the last visit to China by a British leader, calling China a “vital player” on the world stage.

In his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of the trading relationship between the two economies, and said Britain hoped to advance ties with Beijing to deliver global growth and stability.

South China Morning Post