Starmer begins first visit to China since 2018
On 27 January, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will begin a three-day visit to China, marking the first trip by a British leader since 2018. The last prime minister to visit China was Theresa May.
Starmer will visit Beijing and Shanghai before continuing on to Japan. He is accompanied by two government ministers and a delegation of dozens of business leaders, including heads of the pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and GSK.
The main goal of the visit is to restore economic ties with China amid increasing tensions with Washington, triggered by recent statements from Donald Trump about plans to take control of Greenland.
Experts note that London is likely closer to Beijing than Washington on certain global issues such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, and the environment.
This visit may represent a significant step in strengthening the UK's strategic partnerships on the international stage amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Looking ahead, closer economic cooperation between London and Beijing is expected, which could influence the balance of relations among the UK, China, and the US.
