Beijing-London Complex and Advanced Relations

TEHRAN (Defapress) - As Donald Trump's policies have strained long-standing ties between the United States and its allies, Keir Starmer has said that London needs to build a more complex and advanced relationship with China. The British prime minister made the remarks during the first visit by a British leader to China in eight years.

During his four-day trip, Starmer is trying to repair London's damaged relations with the world's second-largest economy, which has been affected by global tensions caused by unpredictable US policies. "China is a vital player on the world stage, and it is essential that we build a more complex and deeper relationship with it," he told Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Starmer stressed that the UK and China must build a long-term, sustainable, and comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping also said Beijing was ready to build a lasting and comprehensive strategic partnership with the UK and called for “creating new momentum” in relations between the two countries.

The trip comes as leaders of US allies head to Beijing one after another, while Trump’s tariff threats and unpredictable foreign policy – ​​including recent comments about control of Denmark and Greenland – have shaken traditional US relations with its allies.

After meeting Xi, Starmer described the meeting as “very good and constructive” and said there were great opportunities for UK businesses in China. He reported progress on reducing China’s tariffs on alcohol and facilitating visa-free travel to China, although details are still being negotiated. Security cooperation on “illegal immigration” to the UK was also part of the agreement.

A delegation of around 60 UK companies and cultural institutions will accompany Starmer on the trip, which will visit Shanghai.

The visit is seen as a major concession for Xi Jinping, following the visits of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron. Analysts say Beijing has long sought to drive a wedge between the United States and its allies and portray itself as an advocate of free trade and globalization.

In his meeting with Starmer, Xi criticized the rise of “unilateralism and power politics” in the world and described China and the UK as two countries that support multilateralism and free trade that can work together to create fair global governance.

Starmer, referring to the turbulent global situation, stressed that cooperation on issues such as climate change and global stability is essential, and that London and Beijing should both identify opportunities for cooperation and have “meaningful dialogue” on areas of disagreement.

He confirmed that he had raised human rights issues with Xi, including the case of pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and the situation of the Uighurs.

Starmer sees better relations with China as essential to expanding economic opportunities. His left-wing government, which came to power in 2024, has promised to make relations with China more stable and professional.

The trip comes just a week after the UK agreed to build a massive Chinese embassy near London’s financial district, a project that had been delayed for months over security concerns. Some worry the complex could be used to monitor Chinese residents in London or sensitive communications infrastructure.

Starmer has previously said that expanding economic ties with China does not necessarily mean undermining national security, but his meeting with Xi Jinping will no doubt be closely watched by the White House.

The trip also comes as European countries worry about China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus, which some governments believe is threatening to undermine European domestic industries.