Sir Keir Starmer has met President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil emphasising the importance of a “strong UK-China relationship” for both countries.
The meeting was the first time a UK prime minister has met the Chinese president in person since 2018, following a recent souring in relations.
Sir Keir raised the case of the detained Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, Jimmy Lai, saying he was concerned about reports of a “deterioration” in his health.
The PM also signalled a desire for greater business co-operation, particularly on “areas of mutual cooperation” such as international stability, climate change and economic growth.
Sir Keir met President Xi on the fringes of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Press Association news agency.
Speaking at the start of the meeting, the PM said: “We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible.”
He added: “The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.”
Sir Keir also proposed a full bilateral meeting in Beijing or London.
Speaking through a translator, Mr Xi told Sir Keir that the two countries should commit to mutual respect and openess, saying: “China and the UK have broad space for co-operation across various domains, including trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare and improving our peoples’ well-being.”
In August, the pair spoke over the phone after Labour’s election victory the previous month, but they have not yet met in person.
China’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine has prompted criticism from the UK and other Western countries.
Before the meeting in Brazil, the prime minister said: “It is in the UK’s best interests to engage on the global stage – whether that’s building strong and fruitful partnerships with our closest allies or being frank with those whose values differ from our own.
“Close cooperation with the world’s leading economies is vital to secure investment into the UK, and create the jobs needed to catalyse growth.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, as well as Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, in Beijing last month.
The last British prime minister to meet President Xi was Theresa May, who hailed a “golden era” for UK-China relations during her 2018 visit to the country.
However, since then there have been tensions over issues including China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority group in Xinjiang and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
Last year, then-Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said China was “the biggest state-based threat to our economic security”.
But like the current government, he also said it was necessary to engage with China on issues like climate change and the global economy.
Speaking to reporters on his way to the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Sir Keir also said “shoring up support for Ukraine” was top of his agenda.
Before the meeting, Downing Street said the prime minister will urge other G20 nations to step up their support for Ukraine or face “unfathomable consequences” if Russia is allowed to be victorious.
The summit follows large-scale missile and drone attacks by Russia across Ukraine over the weekend, and will take place as the conflict approaches its 1,000th day.
And it comes amid reports that the US has authorised the use of long-range missiles it supplies to Ukraine to strike Russia.
The weapons have so far only been used by Kyiv on Russian-occupied targets within its own territory.
The UK has also supplied Ukraine with its Storm Shadow missiles and defence officials and ministers have for months been making the case for Kyiv to be permitted to use them to hit targets inside Russia. But they were not willing to act alone – and had been waiting for the White House to change its mind.
Downing Street would not be drawn on whether the UK would follow the US, but did not rule out allowing Kyiv to use British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.
Sir Keir is holding talks with other G20 leaders, representing 19 of the world’s largest economies and the African Union and the European Union.
The summit is overshadowed by the absence of President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has called for allies to take a more aggressive approach towards China and may trigger a global trade war if he imposes a promised 60% tariff on Chinese goods entering the US.
This summit will provide world leaders a first chance to compare notes and prepare for Trump’s upcoming return to the White House.
Downing Street said the prime minister would also be focusing on building partnerships that increase economic growth and security during the summit, accelerating the climate transition and use of clean power, and supporting the economic development of developing countries.
Source: BBC
