Xi Urges Starmer: UK & China Must Rise Above Differences

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said relations between the UK and China have faced “twists and turns” but insisted that a more consistent approach would benefit both countries, as he met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Beijing.

Xi Urges Starmer

The meeting marks the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years and comes amid wider geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and growing rivalry between China and the United States.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi said the two leaders would be judged favourably by history if they could overcome disagreements and work together.

“As long as we take a broad perspective, rise above differences and respect each other, we will be able to stand the test of history,” he said.

He added that good decisions sometimes take time and that leaders should not avoid difficult choices if they serve the long term interests of their countries and people.

President Xi acknowledged that relations between London and Beijing had experienced setbacks over the years and said such instability served neither side.

In remarks seen as a rebuke to critics in the UK, he also appeared to criticise opposition figures who have questioned the timing of Sir Keir’s visit, amid concerns about Chinese espionage and human rights abuses.

Members of the UK delegation are understood to be using burner phones because of security concerns, reflecting ongoing cross party unease about China’s intelligence activities.

Sir Keir said his aim was to bring stability and clarity to the relationship after what he described as years of inconsistency under previous Conservative governments.

“It is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” he told President Xi. “China is a vital player on the global stage, and engagement matters.”

The prime minister said his visit was guided by the interests of British citizens, stressing that international developments affect domestic prices, economic security, and living standards.

“It is with the British people in mind that I am here today,” he said. “I promised when we entered government that Britain would face outwards again.”

President Xi praised past Labour governments, including those led by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, for their role in developing bilateral ties.

“China stands ready to develop with the UK a long term and consistent strategic partnership,” he said, adding that such cooperation would benefit people in both countries.

The two leaders held private talks lasting one hour and 20 minutes, nearly twice the scheduled time. President Xi described the visit, which comes shortly before the lunar new year, as auspicious.

Earlier in the day, Sir Keir met Zhao Leji, chair of China’s National People’s Congress. Mr Zhao said improving UK China relations was significant given what he described as a turbulent international landscape.

He praised efforts to reset ties, saying relations were now on the correct path toward improvement.

Sir Keir described the trip as historic and said it reflected a shared interest in working together on global security, economic growth, and challenges such as climate change.

The visit comes as Beijing hosts a growing number of Western leaders. In recent months, officials from France, South Korea, Ireland, Canada, and Finland have all travelled to the Chinese capital, with Germany’s chancellor expected to visit next month.

China appears keen to present itself as a stable and predictable partner, particularly in contrast to Washington. Analysts describe this as part of a broader diplomatic charm offensive.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced a new strategic partnership with China, a move that followed a decade long freeze in relations. His visit was seen in Beijing as a breakthrough.

However, the US has warned allies that closer ties with China could carry consequences. President Donald Trump has threatened steep tariffs against countries that pursue major trade deals with Beijing.

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Sir Keir has sought to avoid being drawn into a choice between Washington and Beijing, making clear before his departure that the UK would not align exclusively with either power.

Experts suggest China is realistic about the limits of its influence over Britain’s long standing alliance with the US.

“What Beijing wants is not to pull the UK away from the United States, but to establish a workable and predictable relationship,” said Dr Yu Jie, a senior fellow at Chatham House.

Relations once described as a golden era have since cooled sharply, with growing UK concerns over security, intellectual property theft, and pressure on Chinese dissidents living abroad.

While a return to that earlier period is widely seen as unlikely, analysts say the current talks may represent the start of a gradual diplomatic thaw.

China’s economic position has also shifted significantly. It now produces roughly one third of the world’s goods, processes more than 90 percent of rare earth minerals, and dominates global production of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.

President Xi, far more confident than during earlier meetings with British leaders, is likely to view engagement with the UK as part of a broader effort to reshape global economic relationships.

For Britain, the challenge remains how to balance economic opportunity with national security concerns, in a world increasingly defined by strategic competition between major powers.

As one analyst put it, moving toward a reasonable and stable trading relationship may now be the most realistic outcome.