The British Prime Minister begins a three-day visit to China to promote a "pragmatic partnership" and discuss topics such as trade and national security.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer begins a three-day visit to China on Wednesday, marking the first visit by a British government leader to Beijing since 2018. The purpose of the visit is to advocate for a "pragmatic partnership" between the United Kingdom and China, in the context of relations that have cooled since 2020. Starmer will discuss trade, investment, and national security with Chinese officials, considering that China is the UK's third-largest trading partner. Although Starmer has called China a "threat" to national security, he emphasizes the importance of dialogue to address misunderstandings. The visit comes after recent meetings of other Western leaders with Chinese officials, and Starmer is accompanied by about 60 representatives from the British business and cultural sectors. Criticism from the Conservative opposition suggests that the Labour government is too conciliatory towards Beijing.