© depositphotos/flogeljiri This will represent the initial trip to China by a UK premier in eight years.
China has declared its readiness to reinforce mutual confidence with Britain and expand pragmatic collaboration with the G7 nation, in anticipation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s forthcoming journey to the globe’s second-largest economy this week, Reuters disclosed .
During the course of the visit, slated from Wednesday, January 28, through Saturday, January 31, Starmer is scheduled to convene with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Zhao Lijie, as announced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Tuesday, January 27.
Starmer will head a contingent comprising over 50 British enterprises and organizations from sectors encompassing finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Business and investment agreements are anticipated to be formalized during the British prime minister’s sojourn.
China’s Ministry of Commerce conveyed its willingness to “bolster dialogue on trade and economic policy matters to foster an equitable, transparent, and regulations-based business setting for partnership between firms on both sides.”
Starmer stated prior to the expedition that Britain would not be compelled to select between the US and China, and pledged “substantial prospects” for British companies. He opted, as per Bloomberg’s report, not to emphasize enduring disagreements pertaining to national security or human rights, although he intends to address these concerns during dialogues with Chinese leaders, Xi included, but the UK prime minister is presently giving priority to economic ties.
Starmer’s administration has strived in recent months to resolve contentions between the two countries , notably by approving China’s debated scheme to erect a sizable embassy in London the previous week.
China stands as the foremost market possessing untapped potential after the “golden age” of relations heralded by former British Prime Minister David Cameron devolved into sanctions and accusations concerning Beijing’s suppression of Hong Kong’s democratic opposition. In 2024, Britain’s commerce with China totaled $93 billion, in contrast to $141 billion with the US.