\u201cChina is a vital player on the global stage, and it\u2019s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course, also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree,\u201d Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting.<\/p>\n Xi said ties with Britain had gone through \u201ctwists and turns\u201d that did not serve the interests of either country and that China stood ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can deliver a result that can withstand the test of history,\u201d the Chinese leader said, flanked by his top ministers.<\/p>\n Starmer, whose centre-left Labour Party government has struggled to deliver the growth it promised, has made improving relations with the world\u2019s second-largest economy a priority, despite lingering misgivings about espionage and human rights.<\/p>\n PM Starmer said \u201creally good progress\u201d had been made on issues including whisky tariffs and visa-free travel during his meeting with Xi.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made some really good progress on tariffs for whisky, on visa-free travel to China and on information exchange and cooperation on irregular migration, focusing particularly on small boats and engine parts,\u201d Starmer told reporters, calling it \u201ca very good constructive meeting with real outcomes\u201d.<\/p>\n Starmer is the latest Western leader to engage in a flurry of diplomacy with China, as nations hedge against unpredictability from the United States under President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s on-off threats<\/a> of trade tariffs and pledges to grab control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, have rankled long-standing allies like Britain.<\/p>\n \n <\/a>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n Starmer\u2019s visit immediately follows that of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who signed<\/a> an economic deal with Beijing to tear down trade barriers, drawing Trump\u2019s ire.<\/p>\n Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese studies at King\u2019s College London, said he expected a number of deals between Britain and China would be announced to show how their relationship has improved.<\/p>\n Starmer is being accompanied by more than 50 business leaders, another signal that he is seeking economic wins.<\/p>\n The British premier said he raised issues such as the trial of Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai<\/a> and China\u2019s human rights record during his meeting with Xi.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did have a respectful discussion about that, raised those issues as you would expect \u2026 It gives us great opportunities, but it also gives us the opportunity to have those discussions about areas where we disagree,\u201d Starmer told reporters in Beijing when asked if the subjects had been raised.<\/p>\n Starmer has adopted a new policy of engagement with China after ties deteriorated for years under previous Conservative governments, when London curbed some Chinese investment over national security worries and expressed concern over a crackdown<\/a> on political freedoms in Hong Kong.<\/p>\n \u201cI made the promise 18 months ago, when we were elected into government, that I would make Britain face outwards again,\u201d Starmer told Xi.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause, as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.\u201d<\/p>\n Kemi Badenoch, the leader of Britain\u2019s opposition Conservative Party, said on Wednesday she would not have gone to China because of the security risks the country poses.<\/p>\n British security services have said China routinely spies on the government. China has denied the claims.<\/p>\n In a sign of how the countries can work together, Downing Street said Starmer and Xi would announce that Britain and China would jointly tackle gangs involved in trafficking illegal migrants.<\/p>\n The deal will focus on reducing the use of Chinese-made engines for small boats that transport people across Europe to claim asylum.<\/p>\n British and Chinese officials will share intelligence to identify smugglers\u2019 supply routes and work with Chinese manufacturers to prevent legitimate businesses from being exploited by organised crime, Downing Street said.<\/p>\n After arriving late on Wednesday, Starmer dined at a restaurant in the capital known for its mushroom-laden dishes that also hosted<\/a> former US treasury secretary Janet Yellen during her 2023 visit.<\/p>\n He practised pronouncing the Chinese word for thank you \u2013 \u201cxie xie<\/em>\u201d \u2013 with restaurant staff as he posed for photographs, a video posted on Weibo showed.<\/p>\n![\"Britain’s](\"https:\/\/i.dawn.com\/primary\/2026\/01\/29125525b977b22.webp\")
<\/div><\/a>Tackling migrant smuggling gangs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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