Starmer Advocates for Robust UK-China Ties During Xi Meeting

Sir Keir Starmer held discussions with President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit, where he underscored the significance of a “strong UK-China relationship” for both nations. This encounter marked the first time a UK prime minister had met the Chinese president in person since 2018, following a recent period of strained relations. Sir Keir brought up the situation of Jimmy Lai, the imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, expressing concern over reports indicating a “deterioration” in his health. The Prime Minister also conveyed an interest in expanding business collaboration, particularly in “areas of mutual cooperation” such as international stability, climate change, and economic growth. Meeting President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sir Keir stated at the outset of their discussion: “We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible.” He further added: “The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.” Speaking through a translator, President Xi informed Sir Keir that both countries should commit to mutual respect and openness, asserting: “China and the UK have broad space for co-operation across various domains, including trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare and improving our peoples’ well-being.” A summary of the private meeting indicated that the Prime Minister highlighted the leaders’ shared responsibility to collaborate for global stability, economic cooperation, trade, and efforts to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Climate change was a key area of focus for the Prime Minister, and a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that the PM seeks China’s support for global initiatives, especially given President-elect Trump’s anticipated reversal of green policies. Nonetheless, Sir Keir also emphasized that his government’s approach would “always be rooted in the national interests of the UK, but that we would be a predictable and pragmatic partner” to China. Given China’s military backing for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has drawn criticism from the UK and other Western countries, the Prime Minister also expressed a desire to “engage honestly and frankly” on points of disagreement, including Hong Kong, human rights, and Russia’s war in Ukraine. This initial meeting followed an earlier phone conversation in August, subsequent to Labour’s election victory, and Sir Keir has now proposed a comprehensive bilateral meeting in either Beijing or London. The two leaders also agreed that Chancellor Rachel Reeves should visit Beijing next year to discuss economic and financial cooperation with her counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng. Priti Patel, the Conservative’s shadow foreign secretary, commented: “Britain’s standing on the world stage risks being weakened if the prime minister does not robustly defend our national interest.” She acknowledged the importance of constructive dialogue but asserted that Sir Keir “should have been stronger in raising our concerns over human rights, the repressive nature of the national security laws imposed on Hong Kong, and the security, safety and wellbeing of British nationals, like Jimmy Lai, who should be freed from custody”.” Patel concluded: “Starmer must set out, as part of his supposed reset, what assurances he received from President Xi on the UK’s areas of concern.” Prior to the meeting in Brazil, the prime minister had stated the importance of engaging with economies such as China. Foreign Secretary David Lammy also held discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as well as Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, in Beijing last month. The last British prime minister to meet President Xi was Theresa May, who, during her 2018 visit to the country, heralded a “golden era” for UK-China relations. However, since then, tensions have arisen over issues including China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority group in Xinjiang and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. Last year, then-Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described China as “the biggest state-based threat to our economic security.” Yet, similar to the current government, he also affirmed the necessity of engaging with China on matters like climate change and the global economy. Dr Yu Jie, a China expert from the Chatham House international think tank, stated that the G20 meeting was “critical” for UK-China relations to recover after a six-year period of stagnation, suggesting that a trade deal might be possible despite significant diplomatic