Sir Keir Starmer is making his first trip to Beijing as Britain’s Prime Minister, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries. This visit comes three years after then-Prime Minister Theresa May last visited China in 2018.

The Labour leader will be accompanied by a delegation of business leaders from various sectors, including finance, technology, and renewable energy. The aim of this visit is to explore opportunities for economic cooperation between the United Kingdom (UK) and China. According to Starmer, “China matters” in terms of trade, investment, and technological advancement.

Starmer’s trip follows a series of diplomatic visits from both sides over recent months. In June, China sent its highest-ranking delegation to the UK since the COVID-19 pandemic began, led by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During this visit, Wang discussed strengthening bilateral ties with Prime Minister Starmer.

Background: The UK and China have had a complex relationship in recent years, marked by disagreements over human rights issues and the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2021, Boris Johnson accused China of genocide against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province during a speech at the House of Commons. The Chinese Embassy in London responded with a statement condemning the “malicious remarks,” noting that such accusations were unfounded and violated international law.

Despite these tensions, the two countries have continued to engage in trade talks. In January 2021, Johnson and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first virtual summit since Johnson took office in December 2019. During this meeting, they discussed deepening cooperation on issues such as climate change, science, and technology.

Important details: Starmer’s visit to Beijing is an indication of his government’s commitment to forging a constructive relationship with China despite diplomatic disagreements. The Labour leader has previously expressed a desire to focus on areas of cooperation rather than confrontation. In a statement, Starmer said, “We need to engage with China as it’s the world’s second-largest economy and an important player in global politics.”

The business leaders accompanying Starmer include:

1. Anish Kapoor, a renowned artist known for creating large-scale sculptures 2. Alison Rose, CEO of NatWest Group 3. Lord Browne, former CEO of BP and current executive chairman of L1 Energy 4. Vince Cable, former Business Secretary and leader of the Liberal Democrats 5. Jony Ive, Apple’s design chief until 2019

These business leaders will participate in meetings with their Chinese counterparts to discuss potential collaborations across