Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that Britain’s relationship with China is in a “good, strong place” after talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, January 29. During a key day of his four-day visit — the first by a British premier in eight years — Starmer and Xi held an 80-minute summit at the Great Hall of the People, where they discussed economic cooperation, tariffs, visa-free travel and broader strategic ties. Starmer said he wants to build a “sophisticated relationship” with China that boosts the UK economy, indicating a reset in ties after a period of strain. The leaders also shared lighter moments, chatting about soccer and Shakespeare, before Starmer prepared to meet Premier Li Qiang. Improving relations with Beijing is a priority for Starmer’s government as it seeks economic growth, even as concerns over espionage and human rights continue to persist. Watch the full video for key takeaways from the talks and what they mean for UK-China relations.
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