UK, China welcome reset in relations as Starmer calls for a more ‘sophisticated’ partnership

Britain and China on Thursday welcomed a reset in bilateral ties after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping pledged closer cooperation on trade, investment and technology for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Against the backdrop of uncertainty among Western allies over the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump, Starmer became the latest leader to visit China, calling for a “more sophisticated relationship” marked by improved market access, reduced tariffs and new investment deals.

Hosting a British prime minister for the first time in eight years, Beijing announced 30 days of visa-free travel for British citizens and agreed to halve tariffs on Chinese whisky imports. Meanwhile, British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca unveiled plans to invest $15 billion in China.

Starmer spent around three hours with Xi during a formal summit and working lunch, where the two leaders discussed trade, security, the war in Ukraine, as well as lighter topics including football and Shakespeare.

Focus on growth

Starmer, whose centre-left Labour government has struggled to deliver the economic growth it promised, has made repairing relations with the world’s second-largest economy a priority.

The approach has drawn criticism from some British and US politicians, who accuse China of large-scale espionage and human rights abuses.

The prime minister pointed to AstraZeneca’s expansion plans as evidence of the potential gains for both sides, while stressing that closer engagement would also allow for “frank dialogue” where differences exist.

“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship—one where we can seize opportunities to collaborate while maintaining meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement,” Starmer told Xi at the outset of their talks.

Xi said China was ready to build a long-term partnership with Britain after years of “twists and turns” that had not served either country’s interests.

“We can deliver outcomes that stand the test of history,” Xi said at the summit in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Starmer later said he had raised the case of Jimmy Lai, the British citizen and former Hong Kong media tycoon convicted in December under national security laws, during what he described as a “respectful discussion” with Xi.

Trump factor and rebuilding ties

Starmer’s visit comes as Trump’s shifting trade threats and remarks about seizing control of Greenland have unsettled long-standing US allies. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also expected to visit China soon, while Trump has said he plans a trip in April.

Although Starmer did not secure trade agreements on the scale achieved by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his recent China visit, he has made progress in repairing ties that deteriorated under previous Conservative governments.

Those governments restricted some Chinese investment on national security grounds and openly criticised Beijing’s crackdown on political freedoms in Hong Kong.

Opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would not have travelled to China, citing security concerns. British intelligence agencies have accused China of systematic espionage—claims Beijing denies.

Warm tone, practical outcomes

Accompanied by more than 50 British business leaders, Starmer said relations with China were now “in a strong place” and described his meeting with Xi as warm and constructive.

The two leaders discussed English Premier League football over a lunch featuring roasted cod and sweet rice dumplings. Starmer presented Xi—an avid Manchester United supporter—with a football from a recent match between United and Arsenal, Starmer’s favoured club.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao later said Beijing wanted to expand services trade with Britain, increase imports of high-quality UK products, and ensure a predictable investment environment for Chinese firms operating in the UK.

Joint action on people smuggling

Beyond trade, Starmer announced an agreement for Britain and China to work together against people-smuggling networks, particularly those supplying Chinese-made engines used on small boats crossing the English Channel.

Under the deal, officials from both countries will share intelligence on smuggling supply chains and cooperate with Chinese manufacturers to prevent legitimate businesses from being exploited by organised criminal groups, Downing Street said.

After arriving in Beijing late on Wednesday, Starmer dined at a restaurant known for its mushroom dishes and was filmed practising the Chinese phrase for thank you—“xie xie”—with staff, according to a video shared on China’s social media platform Weibo.