Thursday briefing: Will Keir Starmer’s cautious China gamble pay off?

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 9 min read 100% complete by Aamna MohdinJanuary 29, 2026 at 07:46 AM

AI Summary

long article 9 min

Keir Starmer is the first British Prime Minister to visit China since 2018, aiming to establish a "more sophisticated" and stable relationship with Beijing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping acknowledged past "twists and turns" in the UK-China relationship, expressing interest in a more consistent approach. Starmer's visit comes amid a period of global instability and follows similar trips by other Western leaders. The UK recognizes China's significant role as the world's second-largest economy and a key player in technology and geopolitics. The goal of the visit is to explore opportunities and address risks in resetting the UK's relationship with China.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Bristol 30% Theresa May 40% Iran 40% Germany 50% Donald Trump 50% Laura Chappell 60% Xi Jinping ×270% Keir Starmer ×380% China ×380% UK ×290%

Keywords

china 100% keir starmer 100% uk-china relations 90% xi jinping 80% geopolitical power 70% international policy 60% economic stability 50% foreign policy 50% global instability 40%