British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for an official visit to China from January 28 to 31.

In August 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with Starmer, and in November that year, both leaders met during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, guiding China-UK relations onto a path of improved development.

This visit marks the first time in eight years that a British prime minister has visited China. During the visit, President Xi will meet with Starmer, while Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji will hold talks and meetings with him, exchanging in-depth views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern. Starmer will also visit Shanghai.

Since the Labor Party took office, the UK government has made clear its willingness to develop a coherent, enduring and strategic China-UK relationship, and actively promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

Starmer is accompanied by executives and representatives from over 50 major UK companies and institutions, covering fields where the UK has advantages such as finance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, culture and the creative industries, reflecting the UK's strong expectations to deepen economic and trade relations with China.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said that China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust with the UK, deepen pragmatic cooperation, open a new chapter for the healthy and stable development of China-UK relations, and work together to make due efforts and contributions to world peace, security and stability.