China matters to UK: Starmer in Beijing

“Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.

Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK’s “clear-eyed and realistic” approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while “maintaining guardrails” when it comes to the country’s national security.

The UK PM is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.