During the G20 summit in Brazil, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his desire for a robust and enduring relationship with China as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting marked the first interaction between a British leader and Xi in recent years, following strained relations due to security, human rights concerns, and China's support for Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.
Assuming office in July after a significant election victory, Starmer aims to mend relations with Beijing, emphasizing the importance of consistency, durability, and respect in the bilateral relationship to avoid unexpected developments. Downing Street highlighted Starmer's intention to adopt a pragmatic approach in collaborating with China on global stability, economic partnerships, and particularly addressing climate change and the shift towards clean energy.
