On the most important day of his four-day visit to China, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, Starmer held an 80-minute summit with Xi at the Great Hall of the People before they had lunch together. Later, he will meet with Premier Li Qiang.
Starmer, whose left-wing Labor government has struggled to deliver the growth it promised, has prioritized improving relations with the world’s second-largest economy, despite lingering suspicions about espionage and human rights.
– China is a key player on the global stage and it is crucial that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities for cooperation, but of course also enable meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree – Starmer told Xi at the beginning of their meeting.
Xi said ties with Britain had gone through “upheavals” that did not serve the interests of either country and that China was ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership.
– We can achieve a result that can withstand the test of history – said the Chinese leader, surrounded by his top ministers.
Starmer is the latest Western leader to engage in a series of diplomatic talks with China as nations grapple with the unpredictability of the United States under President Donald Trump.
Trump’s occasional threats of trade tariffs and promises to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, have angered longtime allies such as Britain.
Starmer’s visit follows that of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who signed an economic deal with Beijing to remove trade barriers, drawing Trump’s ire.
Kerry Brown, a professor of Chinese studies at King’s College London, said he expected a series of agreements to be announced between the UK and China to show how their relationship had improved. Starmer is followed by more than 50 business leaders, which is another signal that he is looking for economic gains.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
