Xi Jinping, joining hands with Starmer: "Actively considering visa-free travel for the UK"

"Even if China grows stronger, it will not threaten other countries"

China moves to spotlight the British prime minister on his first visit in eight years

Stresses genuine multilateralism, signals intent to strengthen ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on the 29th that he hopes to see long-term, stable relations develop with the UK, after holding a summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The message was aimed at building a new relationship through cooperation between China and the UK.

Prime Minister Starmer, for his part, responded by mentioning the Taiwan issue, which China regards as a core interest, and said the UK’s Taiwan policy would not change.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency and Reuters and AP, Xi said at the meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that “China-UK relations have experienced twists and turns in recent years, and this has not served the interests of either side,” adding that “China is ready to develop a long-term, stable comprehensive strategic partnership with the UK.”

He went on to say, “The current international landscape is marked by intertwined turmoil and change,” and stressed that “as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, the two countries should strengthen dialogue and cooperation to safeguard world peace and stability and to boost the economies and people’s livelihoods of both nations.”

He noted that past UK Labour governments made important contributions to developing bilateral ties, and said the two sides should overcome difficulties through cooperation even if challenges lie ahead. He also emphasized that “China has adhered to a path of peaceful development and has never invaded the territory of another country,” adding that “even if China becomes stronger, it will not pose a threat to other nations.”

At the meeting, Xi proposed expanding cooperation in education, healthcare, finance and services, as well as joint research and industrial collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, new energy and low-carbon technologies. He also asked the UK to provide a fair operating environment for Chinese companies. In addition, he stressed expanding cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts, and said China would actively consider visa-free arrangements for the UK.

Xi said that “unilateralism, protectionism and power politics are spreading,” adding that “as countries that support multilateralism and free trade, China and the UK should practice genuine multilateralism and build a fairer global governance system.”

Starmer said, “I am pleased to be the British prime minister visiting China for the first time in eight years,” adding that “visiting with more than 60 leading figures from the UK’s economic and cultural circles demonstrates our determination to broaden the scope of cooperation and strengthen relations with China.”

He said, “China is an important actor on the global stage,” and added that “it is important to build a more sophisticated relationship so that we can have meaningful dialogue even on issues where we do not agree.”

He also stressed that “the UK wants to develop a long-term, stable comprehensive strategic partnership with China.”

Starmer also addressed issues related to Taiwan and Hong Kong. “The UK’s Taiwan policy has been maintained for a long time and will not change going forward,” he said, adding, “I hope we can maintain high-level exchanges with China and strengthen cooperation across a range of areas including trade, investment, finance and the environment to deliver tangible benefits to the people of both countries.”

On Hong Kong, he said, “Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability are in the shared interests of both countries,” adding that he is “pleased that Hong Kong serves as a unique and important bridge between the UK and China.”

Starmer arrived in Beijing the previous day to begin a four-day visit to China. The trip marks the first by a British prime minister since former Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit in 2018.

After meeting Xi on the day, he held successive talks with senior Chinese leaders including Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, before traveling to Japan via Shanghai.

Beijing=Correspondent Kim Eun-jung kej@hankyung.com