Starmer and Xi call for deeper UK-China ties as Trump shakes up global relations : NPR

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping before a bilateral meeting in Beijing, China, Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Carl Court/(Getty via AP)

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Carl Court/(Getty via AP)

British and Chinese leaders on Thursday called for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to deepen ties between their nations at a time of growing global turbulence and uncertainty.

Neither Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor President Xi Jinping publicly mentioned Donald Trump, but the US president’s questioning of the post-Cold War order was clearly on their minds.

“I think working together on issues like climate change and global stability in difficult times for the world is precisely what we should be doing as we build this relationship in the way that I have described,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting in Beijing.

The two men met for 80 minutes – double the scheduled duration – in the Great Hall of the People as their nations tried to improve relations after several years of acrimony. Relations have deteriorated over allegations of Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in the war in Ukraine and a crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British colony returned to China in 1997. Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit there in eight years.

Xi said “China-UK relations have suffered setbacks in previous years, which was not in the interests of either country.”

“In the current turbulent and ever-changing international situation…China and the United Kingdom should strengthen dialogue and cooperation to maintain global peace and stability,” he said.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Xi stressed, without directly mentioning the United States, that “great powers” must adhere to international law or the world would regress into a “jungle.”

The relationship is “in the right place”

After the meeting, Starmer said leaders had made “very good progress” on issues including reducing Chinese tariffs on Scotch whiskey and introducing visa-free travel for British visitors.

“The relationship is in a good position, in a strong position,” the British leader said.

Xi appeared to acknowledge the criticism Starmer has faced for reaching out to China despite national security and human rights concerns. The UK recently approved controversial plans for a huge Chinese embassy in London, removing a sticking point in relations but also removing concerns that the “mega-embassy” would make it easier for China to carry out espionage and intimidate dissidents.

“Good things are often accompanied by difficulties,” Xi said. “As long as it is the right thing to do, in line with the fundamental interests of the country and its people, leaders will not shy away from difficulties and will move forward with courage.”

Starmer’s visit comes less than two months after a Hong Kong court convicted Jimmy Lai, a former newspaper publisher and British citizen, under a national security law that Beijing imposed on the territory after massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Starmer said he had raised human rights issues with Xi and the two had a “respectful discussion”.

Starmer, elected in July 2024, said he would protect national security while continuing diplomatic dialogue and economic cooperation with China. He told Xi it had been “far too long” since the British prime minister’s visit.

“I made a promise 18 months ago, when we were elected to government, to put Britain back on its feet,” the center-left Labor Party leader said. “Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens in our home countries, from the prices on supermarket shelves to our sense of security.”

Starmer’s government has struggled to deliver promised economic growth and ease the cost of living crisis for millions of households. He sees China as a potential source of growth.

More than 50 British business leaders have joined him on the trip, as well as leaders from major cultural organisations, as he seeks to expand opportunities for British businesses in China and secure Chinese investment in the UK.

Trump tariffs spur new trade talks

Disruptions to global trade under Trump have made expanding trade and investment more imperative for many governments. Vietnam and the European Union elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership on Thursday, two days after the EU and India announced a free trade agreement.

“At a time when the rules-based international order is under threat from several sides, we must stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners,” European Council President Antonio Costa said in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Starmer is the fourth leader of a US ally to visit Beijing this month, following those of South Korea, Canada and Finland. The German Chancellor is expected to visit there next month.

The British leader met Zhao Leji, chairman of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, earlier on Thursday. The two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements later today.

One will attempt to disrupt the trade in Chinese boat engines used by smugglers to bring people across the Channel to Britain. More than half of the engines come from China, the British government said. Under the agreement, British law enforcement will work with Chinese authorities and manufacturers to prevent the engines ending up in the hands of criminal gangs.