International
Starmer Calls For Strong UK-China Relationship After Meeting With Xi Jinping
Sir Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in Brazil, highlighting the significance of a “strong UK-China relationship” for both nations. This marks the first face-to-face meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president since 2018.
Ahead of the discussions, Sir Keir stressed the importance of engaging with China on key areas of mutual interest, including global stability, climate change, and economic growth. Downing Street confirmed that the meeting would involve “honest conversations” about disagreements while ensuring that all engagements align with the UK’s national interests.
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The meeting took place on the sidelines of the summit in Rio de Janeiro, as reported by the Press Association. During the opening remarks, Sir Keir underscored his desire for UK-China relations to be “consistent, durable, and respectful,” while avoiding unnecessary surprises. He affirmed the UK’s commitment to being a “predictable, consistent, sovereign actor” adhering to the rule of law. Sir Keir also proposed a full bilateral meeting to be held in Beijing or London in the future.
This encounter follows a phone call between the two leaders in August, shortly after Labour’s general election victory, though this was their first in-person meeting. The UK has joined other Western nations in criticizing China’s military support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
On his way to the summit, Sir Keir emphasized that “shoring up support for Ukraine” remained his top priority. Downing Street indicated that the prime minister would use the summit to urge G20 members to increase their backing for Ukraine, warning of “unfathomable consequences” should Russia achieve a victory.
The summit coincides with intensified missile and drone strikes by Russia across Ukraine, nearing the 1,000th day of the conflict. Reports suggest the United States has authorized the use of long-range missiles for Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia—a significant policy shift. While Kyiv has used such weapons on Russian-occupied territory, this development could escalate the conflict further.
The UK has also supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles but has waited for the US to take the lead in allowing their use on targets within Russia. Downing Street has refrained from commenting directly on the reported US decision, reflecting the sensitive nature of these developments.
Before the meeting, the prime minister said: “It is in the UK’s best interests to engage on the global stage – whether that’s building strong and fruitful partnerships with our closest allies or being frank with those whose values differ from our own.
“Close cooperation with the world’s leading economies is vital to secure investment into the UK, and create the jobs needed to catalyse growth.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy held talks 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 hailed a “golden era” for UK-China relations during her 2018 visit to the country.
However, since then there have been tensions 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 said China was “the biggest state-based threat to our economic security”.
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But like the current government, he also said it was necessary to engage with China on issues like climate change and the global economy.
Sir Keir is holding similar talks with other G20 leaders, representing 19 of the world’s largest economies and the African Union and the European Union.
The summit is overshadowed by the absence of President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has called for allies to take a more aggressive approach towards China and may trigger a global trade war if he imposes a promised 60% tariff on Chinese goods entering the US.
This summit will provide world leaders a first chance to compare notes and prepare for Trump’s upcoming return to the White House.
Downing Street said the prime minister would also be focusing on building partnerships that increase economic growth and security during the summit, accelerating the climate transition and use of clean power, and supporting the economic development of developing countries.
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