U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his desire for a robust and sustainable relationship with China during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil on Monday.
This marks the first encounter between a British prime minister and Xi in several years, as relations have soured due to various issues, including security concerns, human rights violations, and China’s backing of Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Since assuming office in July following a decisive victory for his Labour Party, Starmer is keen on mending ties with Beijing, with the last meeting between a U.K. leader and Xi dating back to 2018.
“We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed (and) avoid surprises where possible,” Starmer remarked during the bilateral discussions at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
According to officials at Downing Street, Starmer aims for a “pragmatic” stance in engaging with China, focusing on global stability, enhancing economic connections, and addressing climate change and the transition to clean energy.
Starmer also broached more sensitive topics, including the situation of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy publisher and activist from Hong Kong who holds British citizenship and has been detained since December 2020. Lai, now 76, faces the possibility of a life sentence if convicted under a broad national security law imposed by Beijing on the former British territory.
The Press Association reported that journalists were escorted out at the beginning of Monday’s meeting shortly after Starmer brought up Lai’s case.
Following the meeting, Starmer’s office issued a statement indicating that he “wanted to engage honestly and frankly on those areas where we have different perspectives, including on Hong Kong, human rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
According to China’s Xinhua state news agency, Xi conveyed to Starmer that despite existing differences, there is significant potential for deeper cooperation between the U.K. and China, emphasizing the need to build political trust for mutual advantage.
This dialogue follows a recent visit by U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Beijing, where he held discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
