Xi-Starmer meeting: Chinese leader tells PM he hopes both countries can ‘rise above differences’

29 janvier 2026 à 06:31

At Beijing talks, British prime minister Keir Starmer tells Xi he wants a ‘more sophisticated’ relationship with China

Starmer-Xi meeting – live updates

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said the UK’s relationship with his country had gone through “twists and turns” over the years but that a more “consistent” approach was in both their interests.

Ahead of talks with Keir Starmer during the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years, Xi said the two men would “stand the test of history” if they could “rise above differences”.

Keir Starmer to hold talks with Xi to bolster economic ties with China

The Guardian

Par :Pippa Crerar in Beijing

28 janvier 2026 à 23:30

PM is first UK leader to visit China in eight years and hopes to strengthen bond with superpower amid uncertainty over US alliance

Keir Starmer will meet the Chinese president Xi Jinping on Thursday for historic talks he hopes will deepen economic ties at a time when some inside government fear the US is no longer a reliable partner.

The prime minister – the first UK leader to visit China in eight years – will hold a 40-minute meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before a number of cultural and business receptions.

US intelligence agencies disagree with Trump’s opposition to Chagos deal, says Starmer

The Guardian

Par :Pippa Crerar in Beijing

28 janvier 2026 à 18:00

Downing Street sources say agreement is ‘done deal’ and will not be scuppered by US president’s U-turn

US intelligence agencies disagree with Donald Trump’s newly found opposition to the Chagos deal, Keir Starmer has said, as he underlined how the US administration had supported the deal as it bolstered their defences.

The prime minister made his remarks, which could undermine the US president’s fresh view of the deal as an “act of great stupidity”, on the flight to Beijing for a visit that will cover UK national security among other issues.

Starmer vows to raise issues ‘that need to be raised’ with Xi amid push to free Jimmy Lai

The Guardian

Par :Pippa Crerar in Beijing and Ben Quinn

28 janvier 2026 à 10:59

PM may also discuss fate of Uyghurs with Chinese leader on trip aimed at improving economic relations

‘Very low bar’: Starmer faces slim pickings in China

Keir Starmer has said he will “raise the issues that need to be raised” on human rights with China’s president, Xi Jinping, as he arrived in Beijing for the first trip to the country by a UK leader in eight years.

The prime minister has come under pressure from rights groups to try to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, the jailed former media tycoon and one of Hong Kong’s most significant pro-democracy voices.

Vue lecture