UK's Starmer arrives in China in first visit by British PM since 2018
Jan 29, 2026
London [UK], January 29: Keir Starmer has arrived in China on the first visit by a British prime minister in eight years.
A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the prime minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing. But concerns over the risk China poses to national security means Starmer's visit is politically sensitive.
Speaking to reporters on the flight to Beijing, Starmer said: "The evidence there are opportunities is the fact that we've got so many CEOs with us on this flight, that we've got 60 coming out to explore those opportunities."
He added that this "reflects back at home in terms of the benefit that it brings back to the United Kingdom."
He is the first British prime minister to visit China since Theresa May in 2018.
Source: Qatar Tribune
