UK Prime Minister Makes First Visit to China in 8 Years, Seeks to Expand Investment and Trade

Leaders of the UK and China met during the G20 Summit in November 2024. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Japan after making his first trip to China in eight years. This move is seen as part of efforts to seek various economic breakthroughs amid growing uncertainty following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters and other sources on the 26th (local time), the UK Prime Minister's Office announced that Prime Minister Starmer will visit China on the night of the 27th. After completing his schedule in China, he will depart for Japan.

The last visit to China by a UK Prime Minister was in 2018, when Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May made the trip. UK-China relations were once described as entering a "golden era" under Prime Minister David Cameron (in office from 2010 to 2016), but rapidly cooled after May's visit to China.

The Conservative government took a hardline stance due to security concerns, including China's crackdown on the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and espionage allegations. However, since the Labour government took office in July 2024, it has prioritized pragmatism and is working to improve relations with China.

During his visit to China, Prime Minister Starmer is expected to hold a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and focus on expanding investment and trade.

The UK aims to export not only luxury cars, clothing, and whisky to China, but also financial service products such as pensions, insurance, and asset management. Reuters reported that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, and major business leaders will accompany Prime Minister Starmer.

Reuters pointed out that the UK government is placing great importance on this visit to China, as tensions with its closest ally, the United States, have increased due to President Trump's unpredictable approach to trade and defense.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that "a wide range of issues will be raised" during Starmer's visit to China, adding, "It will include trade and investment, but will not be limited to those topics."