AstraZeneca unveils US$15 billion China investment plan as Starmer visits Beijing

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Cao LiJanuary 29, 2026 at 01:21 PM

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AstraZeneca announced a US$15 billion investment plan in China through 2030, supporting medicine manufacturing and research and development. The announcement coincided with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing, aimed at strengthening trade ties between the UK and China. Starmer stated that AstraZeneca's expansion would support UK jobs and the life sciences sector. The four-day trip is the first visit by a British Prime Minister to China in eight years, as London seeks closer economic cooperation with Beijing. During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a "new chapter" in Sino-UK relations, urging deeper dialogue and cooperation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Washington, D.C. 30% London 30% Xinhua News Agency ×240% Beijing ×250% Xi Jinping 60% United Kingdom ×370% Keir Starmer ×380% China ×390% AstraZeneca ×390%

Keywords

astrazeneca 100% china investment 90% sino-uk relations 80% keir starmer 70% trade ties 60% research and development 50% pharmaceutical 50% economic cooperation 40% xi jinping 40%