Key events
Show key events only
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Some images from the meeting between the two leaders are dropping:
Xi Jinping, third left, speaks during a meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, unseen, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Photograph: Vincent Thian/APKeir Starmer, second right, speaks during a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, unseen, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Photograph: Vincent Thian/APA view of the meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping, third left, and Britain’s prime minister Keir Starmer, second right Photograph: Vincent Thian/APShare
More from Xi Jinping here as he met Keir Starmer: the Chinese leader said the UK-China relationship in recent years had seen “twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries”.
Describing the state of the world as “turbulent and fluid”, Xi said more dialogue between the UK and China was “imperative”, whether it was “for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples”, PA Media is reporting.
Xi said:
In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations.
China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples.
Share
Updated at 04.08 GMT
Xi says China and UK must ‘strengthen’ ties
Xi Jinping has told Keir Starmer their countries must “strengthen” ties to counter geopolitical headwinds.
The Chinese leader was quoting as saying at their Beijing meeting on Thursday:
The current international situation is complex and intertwined. As permanent members of the UN security council and major global economies, China and the UK need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.
Share
Updated at 04.00 GMT
Opening summary
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the British PM’s trip to China. Keir Starmer has told Xi Jinping he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China.
Speaking from Beijing, Starmer told Xi it had been “too long” since a British prime minister visited the country.
“China is a vital player on the global stage and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” he said.
The Guardian’s political editor Pippa Crerar is in Beijing reporting on the meeting. Starmer also stressed the economic benefits of an improved relationship with China, saying:
It is with the British people in mind that I am here today. 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, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.
Starmer’s trip to Beijing comes as he undertakes talk he hopes will strengthen the UK’s economic relationship with China after years of acrimony and amid British uncertainty on whether the US is still a reliable partner.
We will bring you the latest developments in Beijing, live.
Share
