Sir Keir Starmer is in Beijing for three days and has held talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, after which the Prime Minister said the relationship between the UK and China is “in a strong place.”
Starmer said the trip to Beijing has thawed the “ice age” of diplomacy between the UK and China.
The meeting between Starmer and Jinping lasted for an hour and twenty minutes, Xi said, “China-UK relations went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries.”
Jinping said the state of the world is a “turbulent and fluid” and said that dialogue between Beijing and London is “imperative” and it is “for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples”.
Progress has been made on whisky tariffs, visa-free travel to China for Brits and tackling small boats crossings, Jinping said he will “actively consider” visa issues.
Starmer said there needs to be a “frank and open dialogue on areas of disagreement” between the two countries.
Starmer said, “It is with the British people in mind that I am here today.
“I made the promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government that I would make Britain face outwards again.
“Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, from prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Xi said, “In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations.
“China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples.”
Jinping said they will “stand the test of history” if they can “rise above differences”.
He added, “Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention.
“Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead with fortitude.”
Starmer said, “We had a very good, productive session with real, concrete outcomes and it was a real strengthening of the relationship and that’s in the national interest, because, of course, there are huge opportunities here in China as the second biggest economy in the world, and that’s why we’ve got such a big business delegation.
“A lot of discussion was about how we open up access for those opportunities, focusing – as I always do – on how is this going to be delivered back in the United Kingdom? How does it benefit people back at home?
“And we made some really good progress on tariffs for whisky, on visa-free travel to China and on information exchange and co-operation on irregular migration, focusing particularly on small boats and engine parts. So a very good, constructive meeting with real outcomes, and that’s very much in our national interest.”
