Starmer heads to Beijing with huge trade delegation

Sir Keir Starmer says the UK will benefit from a strengthened relationship with China ahead of his arrival in Beijing this morning - and insists economic cooperation will not be traded for national security.

- ALEX ROSS, CHRISTOPHER MCKEON

The prime minister is landing in the Chinese capital for a three-day visit with a delegation of more than 50 representatives of British businesses, sports and culture. He is due to meet President Xi Jinping tomorrow.

The trip will see Sir Keir attempt to improve the UK’s relationship with the economic powerhouse, which he said had “veered from the golden age to the ice age” in recent years. However, he is under pressure to raise several difficult subjects, including China’s espionage activity.

Some parliamentarians had urged him to cancel his trip over human rights concerns, such as the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and British national Jimmy Lai.

But speaking ahead of the trip, Sir Keir said: “For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency - blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK.

“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose - but engaging even where we disagree.