Britain's Starmer arrives in China as Western alliances face strain

Keir Starmer visits China to strengthen ties amid Western tensions, meeting Xi Jinping and local executives for key discussions.

Keir Starmer began the first visit to China by a British Prime Minister since 2018 on Wednesday (January 28, 2026), seeking to strengthen political and business ties with Beijing ‌as relations between Western countries and the U.S. become more volatile.

Mr. Starmer, whose ​approach to China has been criticised by some British and U.S. politicians, said Britain must remain vigilant about potential security threats but could not afford to ignore the opportunities presented by the world’s second-largest economy.

“It doesn’t make sense to stick our head in the ground and bury it in the sand when it comes to China, it’s in our interests to engage,” he told reporters on the plane. “It’s going to be a really important trip for us and ​we’ll make some real progress.”

The National flag of China and the British Union Jack flutter next to the Tiananmen Gate, with a portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong placed in the background, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing, China, on January 28, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Travelling with a delegation of more than 50 business leaders, Mr. Starmer ⁠will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday (January 29, 2026) before travelling to Shanghai on Friday (January 30, 2026) for talks with local executives.

The visit could mark a shift in ties between Britain and China after years of deep acrimony ​over Beijing’s crackdown on political freedoms in ⁠Hong Kong, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war and allegations by British security services that China regularly spies on politicians and officials.