- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to travel to Beijing and Shanghai accompanied by nearly 60 British businesses and cultural organisations;
- As the world’s second-largest economy and the UK’s third-largest trading partner, engagement with China is vital for the British people;
- He will pledge a partnership fit for our times, grounded in the UK national interest and focused on making the UK better off.
LONDON, England – Working people and UK businesses will benefit from a more strategic and consistent UK relationship with China, the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will pledge as he arrives in Beijing today. Alongside a delegation of nearly 60 representatives from British business, sport and culture, he will promise stability and clarity in the government’s approach – making up for years of inconsistency under previous governments.
Since taking office, the government has re-engaged with China – recognising that it is one of the world’s most consequential powers and its monumental growth has a significant impact on the lives of the British people.
It is the world’s second-largest economy, a crucial player in global supply chains, and a growing military power. It is the UK’s third-largest trading partner and supports 370,000 British jobs.
“In a time of growing global instability, where events abroad continue to rebound on people at home, the prime minister has promised to act in the UK’s national interest. He will pledge to remain clear-eyed and realistic when it comes to both the opportunities and challenges they pose – continuing to pursue co-operation in our interest while maintaining guardrails when it comes to our national security, said a press release from the prime ministers office.
Prime Minister Starmer said:
“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK.
“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.
“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent co-operation abroad.”
Alongside a delegation of leading UK businesses and cultural organisations such as HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover and the National Theatre, the prime minister will push for access in areas where better co-operation with China would boost growth and deliver prosperity for the British people. That includes the UK’s world-leading financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences expertise.
“However, he will be clear that we will not trade economic co-operation for our national security. He will raise the areas where we disagree with China – being clear that we will always defend our national security, and where viewpoints differ, frank and open dialogue is of vital importance.”
Prime Minister Starmer will meet president Xi Jinping and premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.
Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and economic secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby will join the prime minister on the visit.
The meeting follows the successful 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) that secured £600 million in immediate benefits and the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018, according to 10 Downing Street.
