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.
During the meeting, Starmer also addressed sensitive issues such as the detention of Hong Kong pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, a U.K. citizen held in custody since December 2020 under China's national security law. The discussion on Lai's case prompted the removal of journalists from the meeting room, indicating the gravity of the topic.
Following the bilateral talks, Starmer's office stated that the Prime Minister aimed for open and candid dialogue on areas of disagreement, including Hong Kong, human rights, and Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Xi Jinping acknowledged the potential for increased cooperation between the U.K. and China despite their differing perspectives, emphasizing the need to enhance political trust for mutual benefit, as reported by China's Xinhua state news agency.
This meeting follows a recent visit by U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Beijing for discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, underscoring ongoing efforts to engage with China on various fronts.
