Starmer Signals Potential Xi Jinping UK Visit Following Beijing Summit
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a significant step toward improving relations with China by opening the door to a potential UK visit from President Xi Jinping. This move came during the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years, a period Starmer described as an "ice age" in bilateral relations.
Beijing Talks Strengthen UK-China Relationship
During their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Starmer told Xi Jinping that their discussions had left the bilateral relationship in a stronger position. The Prime Minister emphasized his desire for a "more sophisticated" relationship between the two nations, stating he wanted to bring "stability and clarity" after years of what he called "inconsistency" under previous Conservative governments.
"It is with the British people in mind that I am here today," Starmer told the Chinese leader. "I made the promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government that I would make Britain face outwards again. Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, from prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel."
Immediate Backlash from China Critics
The suggestion of a potential Xi Jinping visit to Britain drew immediate criticism from Conservative politicians and other critics of Beijing's policies. Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, stated: "Keir Starmer seems incapable of acting in Britain's national interest. We should not roll out the red carpet for a state that conducts daily espionage in our country, flouts international trading rules and aids Putin in his senseless war on Ukraine."
Several Conservative MPs who have been sanctioned by China expressed particular concern. Tim Loughton, a former Tory minister among those sanctioned in 2021, said offering the president a visit would be a "definite red line" and noted Xi would have to be banned from the parliamentary estate under current restrictions.
Political Challenges and Conditions
The prospect of a Xi Jinping visit presents several political challenges for Starmer's government:
- Five Conservative MPs and two peers remain under Chinese sanctions imposed in retaliation for UK measures concerning human rights abuses against Uyghur people
- Chinese diplomats are currently banned from parliament following spying allegations
- Critics argue any visit would require conditions including the release of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai
Neil O'Brien, a shadow minister for policy who is also sanctioned, questioned the logic of offering Xi a visit when the Chinese ambassador remains "banned from parliament because of multiple rounds of spying on MPs."
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Xi Jinping last visited the UK in 2015 during what was described as the "golden era" of relations under then Prime Minister David Cameron. The Chinese leader acknowledged during his meeting with Starmer that the UK-China relationship had experienced "twists and turns" over the years, but suggested a more "consistent" approach would benefit both nations.
Despite the controversy, Starmer's team highlighted several achievements from the Beijing visit, including:
- A visa waiver agreement
- Reduced tariffs on whisky exports
- New economic cooperation agreements
The Prime Minister's official spokesperson declined to confirm specific future engagements but stated: "The prime minister has been clear that a reset relationship with China, that it's no longer in an ice age, is beneficial to British people and British business."
As diplomatic relations between London and Beijing enter this new phase, the potential for a Xi Jinping visit to Britain remains a contentious issue that will continue to provoke debate about the appropriate balance between economic engagement and standing firm on human rights and security concerns.
