UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become the first British leader to make an official visit to China in eight years. During his four-day trip, Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and said redefining relations with China was “vital.”

“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship.” Keir Starmer

Starmer stressed the need for a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership between the UK and China, noting that international partnerships are crucial to delivering the security and prosperity the British people deserve.

Diplomacy Under the Shadow of the US and Strategic Signals From Beijing

The visit comes at a time when relations between the United States and its allies have been strained by the protectionist trade policies and unpredictable foreign policy moves of Donald Trump. Trump’s remarks about Danish territory Greenland, in particular, have caused unease across transatlantic alliances.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said during the talks that China was ready to develop a “stable and comprehensive strategic partnership” with the United Kingdom. According to Chinese state media, Xi warned of the rise of unilateralism, protectionism and power politics, and said the two countries could work together in support of multilateralism and free trade.

“China and the United Kingdom can create new momentum together.” Xi Jinping

Starmer also pointed to global uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of cooperation on issues such as climate change and global stability.

Trade, Visa Facilitation and the Business Delegation

The talks produced concrete outcomes. Starmer announced that China had agreed to cut tariffs on Scotch whisky from 10% to 5%. The two sides also reached an agreement to grant British citizens visa-free access for business and tourism trips of up to 30 days. No clear timeline for implementation was provided.

Describing the summit as a “constructive meeting with real outcomes,” Starmer highlighted the “huge opportunities” China offers for British businesses.

A delegation of around 60 business and cultural representatives is accompanying Starmer on the trip. British corporate heavyweights including HSBC, GSK and Jaguar Land Rover are part of the group, which is also expected to visit Shanghai.

Human Rights, Security Concerns and Pressure From Washington

Responding to questions from reporters, Starmer said he raised human rights issues with Xi, including the imprisonment of Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai and allegations of abuses against the Uyghur minority, adding that the discussions were conducted in a “respectful” manner.

The visit comes shortly after Britain approved plans for China to build a “mega embassy” near London’s financial district. Security experts have raised concerns about the site’s proximity to fiber-optic cables carrying sensitive financial data, while Starmer has argued that strengthening business ties with China does not have to compromise national security.

The visit is being closely watched in Washington. Earlier this month, after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing and announced tariff cuts on some Chinese electric vehicles, Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian imports.

European governments, meanwhile, remain wary of China’s record-breaking global trade surplus of more than $1.2 trillion, fearing that cheap Chinese goods are undermining domestic industries.