Archive · 30 Jan 2026
UK PM Starmer visits China for trade and diplomatic reset
The UK's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, visited China for four days.
This is the first time a UK PM has visited China in eight years.
He met with China's President Xi Jinping to improve their countries' relationship.
They talked about trade, security, and human rights.
AstraZeneca, a big medicine company, will invest $15 billion in China.
They also agreed that British people can visit China without a visa for trips shorter than 30 days.
Starmer and Xi had a friendly meeting and talked about soccer and Shakespeare.
They want to work together on important global issues like climate change.
Other Western countries are also visiting China to improve their relationships.
However, US President Donald Trump warned against the UK's business dealings with China, calling it dangerous.
UK PM Keir Starmer is on a four-day visit to China, the first by a UK PM since 2018.
Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping held discussions on trade, security, and human rights, pledging to build an economic partnership.
AstraZeneca plans to invest $15 billion in its Chinese operations, highlighting the benefits of the economic partnership.
China agreed to allow British citizens to visit visa-free for trips under 30 days.
Starmer and Xi discussed global issues like climate change and stability, aiming to deepen ties amid global turbulence.
- Who
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping
- What
- Diplomatic and economic discussions, including a major investment by AstraZeneca and visa agreements
- When
- January 29, 2024, during a four-day visit
- Where
- Beijing, China
- Why
- To reset trade and diplomatic ties, following similar visits by other Western leaders and to address global trade dynamics
UK and China
US
Business and Diplomatic Ties
UK and China
UK and China are strengthening ties through trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation, aiming for a strategic partnership to benefit both countries.
US
US President Donald Trump warns against UK's business dealings with China, calling it dangerous and not in the interest of the UK.
- Visitor
- UK PM Keir Starmer
- Visit Duration
- 4 days
- Significance
- First UK PM visit to China since 2018
- Context
- Follows visits by Canadian PM Mark Carney and French President Macron
- Broader Context
- Global trade and ties reset between China and the West
- Key Investment
- $15 billion by AstraZeneca in China
- Visa Agreement
- Britons can visit China visa-free for under 30 days
- Meeting Duration
- 80 minutes
Sources
Trump triggers global trade & ties reset: West flocks to China, UK PM Starmer after Carney, Macron
China agrees to some visa-free travel for British citizens, says UK PM
Starmer and Xi Call For Deeper UK-China Ties as Trump Shakes Up Global Relations
Starmer and Xi hail a reset in ties, helped by large AstraZeneca investment
In Beijing, British Prime Minister sees ‘huge opportunities’
Ai Weiwei says West lacks moral authority to criticise Beijing on rights
Britain's Starmer Seeks To Bolster China Ties Despite Trump Warning
Trump says 'very dangerous' for UK to strike a deal with China
Trump warns Britain on China ties as Starmer hails reset
UK-China business deal 'very dangerous', says Trump amid Starmer's visit to Beijing
Trump warns Britain on China ties as Starmer hails progress in Beijing
UK PM Starmer Seeks To Bolster China Ties Despite Trump Warning
Analysis-Visit by Britain’s Starmer shows drawbacks of ‘China pivot’ in countering Trump
Why The Wests Pivot To Beijing Is No Fix For Trumps Trade War
China to lift restrictions on UK lawmakers, PM Starmer says