politics
January 29, 2026
China and the UK are attempting to reset their relationship
U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he hopes to build "more sophisticated" ties with China as the two nations look to revive their bilateral relationship.
TL;DR
- China and the U.K. are seeking to develop a long-term strategic partnership after years of strained ties.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a four-day visit to China, the first by a U.K. prime minister in eight years.
- The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in key areas including education, healthcare, finance, and AI research.
- Beijing will consider visa-free entry for British nationals and urged London to create a fair environment for Chinese firms.
- U.K. businesses in China have faced a deteriorating environment, with nearly 60% finding it harder to do business.
- The U.K. has expressed concerns over national security, espionage, and China's crackdown on democratic protests in Hong Kong.
- President Xi Jinping urged major economic powers to adhere to international laws and warned against "unilateralism, protectionism and power politics."
- Starmer described the meeting with Xi as "positive" and yielding "productive outcome."
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