As UK PM Starmer leaves China, what did he achieve – and what next for Sino-British ties?

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Kandy Wong,Enoch YiuJanuary 30, 2026 at 01:02 PM

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Keir Starmer's visit to China, the first by a UK prime minister since 2018, aimed to "reset" Sino-British ties. A delegation of 54 UK companies accompanied Starmer, with expectations of further business deals being signed in Shanghai. The China-Britain Business Council and Suzhou of Jiangsu province signed a memorandum of understanding to create an innovation hub. The visit is viewed as significant for balancing relations with both the US and China, particularly as Britain navigates its relationship with a potentially more assertive US under Donald Trump. The trip was welcomed by business leaders who felt a lack of high-level engagement had been detrimental.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Donald Trump 50% United States 60% Jiangsu province 70% Suzhou 80% Keir Starmer ×2100% China-Britain Business Council ×2100%

Keywords

uk-china relations 100% business deals 80% keir starmer 70% trade delegation 60% sino-british ties 60% innovation hub 50% economic cooperation 50% political reset 40%