Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold his first face-to-face talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ahead of the meeting, Starmer said he wants a “serious relationship” with China, despite growing concerns over Beijing’s actions on the global stage.
The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including trade, investment, and climate change. Starmer is expected to raise the UK’s concerns over China’s human rights record, the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, and Beijing’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Downing Street has stressed that Starmer will engage “honestly and frankly” with Xi, while also seeking to establish a “consistent, durable, and respectful” relationship. The Prime Minister has proposed a full bilateral meeting in either Beijing or London to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
However, Starmer’s approach has faced criticism from some Conservatives, who have accused him of “kowtowing” to China. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader sanctioned by Beijing, said the Prime Minister would be seen as “weak” by Xi.
The meeting comes as the UK government seeks to secure new commitments on global free trade at the G20 summit. Starmer has also endorsed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ plan for economic growth, which the Chinese leader has praised as “working to fix the foundations of the economy.”
Despite the concerns, Starmer believes a “strong UK-China relationship is important for both our countries and the broader international community.” He is expected to push for greater cooperation on issues such as trade, investment, clean energy, and healthcare.