Key Takeaways:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting China to improve trade and economic ties with the country
- The visit is the first by a British leader in eight years and comes amid tension between Britain and the US over President Donald Trump’s recent threats
- Starmer will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss trade, investment, and security concerns
- Britain wants to reduce its dependence on the US and increase trade with China, which is the world’s second-largest economy
- The visit has drawn criticism from some British and US politicians who are concerned about China’s human rights record and national security threats
Introduction to the Visit
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is set to visit China on Tuesday evening, marking the first visit by a British leader in eight years. The visit is aimed at improving trade and economic ties with China, which is the world’s second-largest economy. Starmer will be accompanied by dozens of business executives and two ministers, and will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and Shanghai. The visit comes amid tension between Britain and its longstanding close ally, the United States, over President Donald Trump’s recent threats to take control of Greenland and other remarks.
Background and Context
The visit is significant, as it comes after a deterioration in relations between the UK and China under previous governments. The UK had been critical of China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and had also raised concerns about multiple allegations of espionage and cyberattacks. However, since being elected in 2024, Starmer has made it a priority to reset ties with China, and this visit is seen as a key step in that process. The visit also follows a recent visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to China, which resulted in an economic deal between the two countries. In response, Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all Canadian goods and products coming into the US.
Economic Benefits and Criticisms
The visit is expected to result in trade and investment deals, with China’s commerce ministry stating that agreements will be signed during the visit. Britain wants closer economic and trade ties with China to help Starmer honour his pledge to improve living standards through investment in public services and the economy. However, the strategy has drawn fierce criticism from some British and US politicians, who are concerned about China’s human rights record and national security threats. According to government data, China was Britain’s fourth-largest trading partner in the 12 months to the middle of 2025, with trade totalling about 100 billion pounds ($137 billion).
Business Delegation and Expectations
Among those travelling with Starmer to China as part of the business delegation will be Brendan Nelson, the chairman of HSBC, and AstraZeneca’s CEO Pascal Soriot. However, some experts have questioned the benefits of the visit, with Sam Goodman, a policy director at the China Strategic Risks Institute think tank in London, stating that Britain had so far secured few economic gains from trying to improve relations with Beijing. Goodman also noted that China accounts for only 0.2% of foreign direct investment in Britain, while the US accounts for about a third, and Britain’s market share for goods and services with China fell in the last year.
Security Concerns and National Interest
Starmer’s visit comes after his government approved China’s contested plans to build a mega-embassy in the heart of London, rejecting objections from some politicians who said the new building will make it easier for China to conduct spying operations. Starmer has acknowledged that China poses national security threats to Britain, but has stated that closer business ties are in the national interest. The visit also comes at a sensitive moment for relations between Western leaders and the US, due to Trump’s claims that the US needs to take control of Greenland because China poses a threat in the Arctic.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, Starmer’s visit to China is a significant step in improving trade and economic ties between the two countries. While there are concerns about China’s human rights record and national security threats, the visit is seen as an opportunity for Britain to reduce its dependence on the US and increase trade with China. The outcome of the visit will be closely watched, with many experts questioning whether Britain can secure tangible economic benefits from its engagement with China. As the world’s second-largest economy, China is an important partner for Britain, and the success of this visit will have significant implications for the future of UK-China relations.
