Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Britain and China hailed a reset in relations on January 29, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping pledged greater cooperation on trade, investment and technology to the mutual benefit of both countries, reported Reuters.
Starmer spent around three hours with Xi at a formal summit and a lunch, during which the pair discussed trade and security, the war in Ukraine, and also soccer and Shakespeare. The visit comes at a time of shifting global alliances and reflects London’s attempt to recalibrate relations with Beijing amid economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty.
It was the first trip by a UK prime minister to China in eight years. “China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s 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,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting.
Beijing agreed to 30 days’ visa-free access for Britons and to halve Chinese tariffs on whisky, while UK drugmaker AstraZeneca (AZN.L), opens new tab announced a $15 billion investment into China.
Starmer, whose centre-left Labour government has struggled to deliver the economic growth it promised, has made improving relations with the world’s second-largest economy a priority. Xi said China was ready to develop a long-term partnership with Britain following “twists and turns” in the relationship that did not serve the interests of either country.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the visit, saying it would help enhance mutual trust and add stability to bilateral relations. Starmer was given a red-carpet reception at Beijing airport, where he was received by China’s Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, signalling Beijing’s intent to reset ties after years of strain.