At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pay an official visit to China from January 28 to 31. The trip aims to deepen China-UK relations and advance bilateral cooperation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced on January 28 during a regular press briefing that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pay an official visit to China from January 28 to 31 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This marks the first visit by a British prime minister in eight years.
The backdrop includes a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Starmer in August 2024 at the latter's request, and a meeting between Xi and Starmer in November 2024 during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which set China-UK relations on a path of improvement and development. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, maintaining communication and strengthening cooperation between China and the UK serves the common interests of both peoples and contributes to global peace, stability, and development.
During the visit, President Xi will meet with Starmer, Premier Li will hold talks with him, and China's top legislator Zhao Leji will also meet Starmer. The two sides will engage in in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and issues of common interest. Starmer will also visit Shanghai.
Since taking office, the British Labour government has expressed its willingness to develop a consistent, enduring, and strategic relationship with China and to actively promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. China hopes to use this visit to enhance political mutual trust with the UK, deepen practical cooperation, jointly open a new chapter of healthy and stable development in bilateral relations, and work together for global peace, security, and stability.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg News on January 27, Starmer stated that the United Kingdom does not have to choose between the United States and China as it seeks a more balanced global strategy. He rejected the idea that strengthening economic engagement with China would come at the expense of Britain's special relationship with the US. London can pursue multiple strategic partnerships without binary choices, Starmer said, recalling that during the US trade deal negotiations, he refused to choose between the US and Europe.
"We've got very close relations with the US — of course, we want to — and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defence. Equally, just sticking your head in the sand and ignoring China, when it's the second biggest economy in the world and there are business opportunities wouldn't be sensible," he added.
The visit could bring "significant opportunities" for British companies. According to Reuters, Starmer's delegation includes ministers and dozens of business executives, aiming to mend ties with China and reduce dependence on an increasingly unpredictable United States.
At the briefing, spokesperson Guo Jiakun noted that in a turbulent and volatile world, stepped-up exchanges and cooperation between China and the UK, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, will benefit the world and the two countries themselves.
This visit signals a new phase in China-UK relations, reflecting both sides' intent to seek cooperation amid global uncertainties.
