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Evening Standard

Politics

Tom Place

Who is on Keir Starmer's China trip, and why are they there?

Sir Keir Starmer China Doug Gurr Peter Kyle Rachel Reeves Brendan Nelson British Airways GSK Lucy Rigby Pascal Soriot

Sir Keir Starmer has landed in Beijing for a three day visit, in the first trip to China by a British prime minister since 2018.

He will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, before heading to Shanghai on Friday for talks with local executives, as the government attempts to reboot the UK's relationship with China.

Over 50 British business and cultural leaders have also made the trip, including representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover and the Natural History Museum.

But who exactly is on the trip, and why? Read on to find out.

Peter Kyle & Lucy Rigby

Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby have joined the Prime Minister in China.

It is Kyle’s second trip in the last five months, as he visited Beijing in September last year shortly after being appointed business secretary.

Ahead of the trip, Mr Kyle said: “For a decade, there has been a lack of serious engagement needed to capitalise on the opportunity of a better relationship with China.

“We want to see trade flourish between us. From financial services to advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition, the UK’s strengths increasingly align with the rapidly evolving Chinese economy.

“The first duty of government is security, and we protect ourselves best through active engagement and pragmatic cooperation, not by shutting the door.”

Ms Rigby said: “The UK’s world-leading financial services sector is a cornerstone of our economy. With deep and liquid markets, and the FTSE hitting all-time highs, there are real opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with China which supports jobs for working people and growth for businesses across Britain.”

Colm Lacy, British Airways

Ahead of the trip, British Airways Chief Commercial Officer Colm Lacy said: “As the UK’s flag carrier, we are honoured to support the Prime Minister Keir Starmer on this important visit to China.

“British Airways has a longstanding and proud history of connecting people, cultures and businesses around the world, and this trip reflects the vital role we play in fostering those relationships.

“We look forward to continuing to serve the region and further strengthen the connections that bring people together, as well as supporting trade and tourism for many years to come.”

Doug Gurr, Natural History Museum

Doug Gurr, Director at the Natural History Museum, is part of the delegation, as the museum looks to expand its commercial activities in the Chinese market from brand licensing to publishing projects.

Dr Gurr said: “For over 15 years, the Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has toured to multiple locations in China.

“I look forward to building on our existing ties with museum partners in China and to developing new opportunities for collaboration in research, collections, and knowledge exchange.”

Industry leaders and Pharmaceutical executives

The delegation also includes a number of financial industry leaders, including HSBC Group Chairman Brendan Nelson and Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor.

Airbus's general counsel John Harrison will also join, as will pharmaceutical executives such as AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and GSK Chair Sir Jonathan Symonds.

They are some of over 50 representatives from business, sport and culture to be accompanying Sir Keir.

On the trip, the Prime Minister and the delegation are expected to push for better co-operation with China in areas that would boost growth in Britain - including the financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences expertise.

China is the world’s second largest economy, and it is the UK’s third largest trading partner, supporting 370,000 British jobs.

Why isn’t Rachel Reeves there?

It was originally reported that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would be accompanying Starmer on the trip, but she is not part of the official delegation.

Sources had claimed that Ms Reeves was to have separate itineraries from the prime minister.

However, when approached for comment, the Treasury office confirmed that as the final schedule for the visit was confirmed, it was agreed that the business delegation would be accompanied by the Business Secretary and the Economic Secretary.

The Chancellor did meet her Chinese Finance Minister counterpart in Davos last week, providing senior level engagement ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Ms Reeves visited China a year ago, where she lead the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD).

She met with Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing to strengthen trade, investment, and financial services.