Starmer hopes his China trip will begin the thaw after recent ice age

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Pippa Crerar in BeijingJanuary 31, 2026 at 07:00 AM

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medium article 4 min

Keir Starmer recently visited Beijing, marking the first UK Prime Ministerial visit to China since 2018. The trip aimed to improve relations after a period of tension, addressing security concerns and trade challenges. Starmer engaged in extensive talks with President Xi Jinping, securing agreements intended to boost British business access to the Chinese market. These included a visa waiver, tariff cuts on whisky, and investment commitments. While some criticized the immediate impact of the visit, British officials emphasized the importance of establishing a more sophisticated relationship with China and securing high-level buy-in for future economic opportunities. The UK's approval of a new Chinese embassy in London is believed to have facilitated the visit.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

London 30% Peter Kyle ×240% Beijing 50% Xi Jinping ×250% Theresa May 60% UK ×370% China ×780% Keir Starmer ×690%

Keywords

uk-china relations 100% keir starmer 90% china trip 80% national security 70% economic growth 70% xi jinping 60% trade practices 60% cyber-attacks 50% visa waiver 50% political involvement 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral

Score: 0.10

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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uk-china relations keir starmer china trip national security economic growth xi jinping trade practices cyber-attacks visa waiver political involvement

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