International: Guo Jiakun, Spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 30 in Beijing highlighted the outcomes of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to China during a regular press briefing.

He stated that Prime Minister Starmer paid an official visit to China from January 28 to January 31. This marked the first visit by a British Prime Minister to China in eight years and the first visit at the start of the new year by a leader of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

On Thursday, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Starmer. The two leaders agreed that China and the United Kingdom should work together to build a long-term, stable and comprehensive strategic partnership. They emphasized the importance of transforming the “great potential” of China–UK cooperation into “tangible achievements,” thereby opening a new chapter in bilateral relations and cooperation.

The spokesperson noted that the visit was highly productive, demonstrating both the breadth and depth of cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed to establish a high-level partnership on climate and nature, resume high-level security dialogue, and convene new rounds within the year of the Strategic Dialogue, the Economic and Financial Dialogue, and meetings of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee.

It is worth noting that Prime Minister Starmer led a delegation of more than 60 prominent British representatives from the business, industrial, and cultural sectors during his visit. On Thursday afternoon, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Starmer jointly attended the closing ceremony of the China–UK Business Council meeting. Business representatives from both sides expressed confidence and optimism about the future of China–UK cooperation.

Source: Lily-Hashim-Tuhina, China Media Group.