Prime Minister Keir Starmer Concludes China Visit with Major Economic and Diplomatic Announcements
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has wrapped up his three-day diplomatic and trade mission to China, hailing significant new agreements that he says will deliver tangible benefits for the British economy and workforce. The visit, which concluded in Shanghai on Saturday 31 January 2026, was heavily focused on reinvigorating UK-China economic relations.
Billions in Trade and Investment Secured
Downing Street has confirmed that the trip secured substantial financial gains for the United Kingdom. The government announced £2.2 billion in new export deals and market access agreements worth an additional £2.3 billion over the next five years. Furthermore, the visit prompted hundreds of millions of pounds in direct investment from Chinese companies into the UK.
Among the headline corporate announcements was a commitment from Pop Mart, the creators of the viral Labubu toy phenomenon. The company has pledged to open seven new retail stores across Britain, including a flagship location on London's prestigious Oxford Street. Additional stores are planned for Birmingham and Cardiff.
When questioned about the popular toy, Sir Keir told ITV News he had been presented with one during the trip, remarking with humour, "I don't think it'll last long with my children."
Major Industrial and Cultural Commitments
In a significant boost for the UK automotive sector, Chinese car manufacturer Chery announced it will establish its European headquarters in Liverpool. This move aligns the city, already home to a major Jaguar Land Rover plant, as a key hub for the industry.
On the cultural front, the World Snooker Tour confirmed it had secured a new event to be hosted in two Chinese cities, a deal projected to bring up to £15 million into the UK.
These announcements follow earlier breakthroughs from the trip, including the confirmation that Chinese tariffs on British whiskey will be halved, a measure expected to be worth £250 million to UK exporters over the coming five years. Sir Keir stated these reduced tariffs would take effect from the following Monday. An agreement on visa-free travel to China for British nationals was also reached, with Downing Street expressing "full confidence" in its implementation, though specific details remain to be finalised.
Diplomatic Progress and Domestic Scrutiny
Beyond commerce, the Prime Minister secured a notable political achievement. Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to lift sanctions imposed on six British parliamentarians. Sir Keir told the BBC this outcome demonstrated that direct engagement allowed him to raise "difficult, sensitive issues which you can't raise if you are not in the room."
However, the Prime Minister continues to face domestic pressure to address ongoing human rights concerns more robustly. Critics point to issues such as the detention of British national and Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai, and the treatment of the Uighur minority. In a statement, the recently unsanctioned MPs and peers said they took "no comfort" in the lifting of restrictions while these fundamental issues remained unresolved.
Navigating International Relations
The move towards closer UK-China ties has also drawn criticism from international allies, most notably from former US President Donald Trump, who labelled the visit "dangerous." Sir Keir, speaking in Shanghai, brushed aside these comments, suggesting Mr Trump had been "talking more about Canada" and reaffirming that Britain and America remain "very close allies."
Sir Keir has consistently framed the trip as a strategic necessity. "We are bringing stability, clarity and a long-term strategy to how we engage with China," he said, "so we can bring home the benefits for businesses and for working people. Engaging with China is how we secure growth for British businesses, support good jobs at home and protect our national security."
The Prime Minister's final engagements in China included meetings with senior local Chinese Communist Party officials in Shanghai on Saturday morning. He then departed for Japan, where he was scheduled to meet the country's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, for a working dinner before returning to the United Kingdom.
