Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing was meant to break the ice — and it did more than that.
For the first time in eight years, a British prime minister sat down with China’s president and openly talked about resetting relations.
The message from both sides? The world is messy, and talking might be better than freezing each other out.
Standing in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Starmer said the UK wants a “long-term, consistent and comprehensive” partnership with China.
Can rivals cooperate? He thinks so — especially on shared challenges like climate change and global stability — while still being honest about disagreements.
Xi Jinping echoed the sentiment, calling for more “dialogue and cooperation” in what he described as a complex global moment.
“Good things don’t come without difficulties,” Xi said, signalling Beijing’s willingness to push ahead despite tensions.
Cautious Diplomatic Thaw
The backdrop, though, is complicated. UK-China ties soured after Beijing’s crackdown in Hong Kong, intelligence warnings from MI5.
London’s criticism of China’s human rights record.
Starmer confirmed he raised those issues directly, calling the discussion “respectful but frank”.
There were practical wins too: progress on whisky tariffs, visa-free travel, and cooperation to stop small-boat smuggling across the Channel.
As one correspondent put it, Starmer’s task is finding common ground after years in the deep freeze.
Whether this visit marks a genuine thaw — or just a cautious handshake — is the real question.
