Theresa May

Theresa May is the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She is newsworthy in the context of recent news because she was the last British Prime Minister to visit China, in 2018, before Keir Starmer's trip in January 2026. Starmer's visit is framed as an attempt to thaw the "ice age" in UK-China relations and seek new economic opportunities. May's 2018 visit is referenced in articles discussing the security precautions taken during such trips, including concerns about surveillance. The articles highlight the length of time since a UK Prime Minister engaged directly with China, emphasizing the potential significance of Starmer's efforts to revitalize diplomatic and economic ties, even if analysts are skeptical of major breakthroughs.