Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:54am on 28 Jan 2026,Wednesday International
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making the first British PM visit to China since 2018, meeting President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Sixty British business and cultural leaders accompany him, including representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover, and the National Theatre. Starmer argues Britain's China approach has been inconsistent, oscillating between "Golden Age to Ice Age," and strategic engagement serves national interests. He'll raise human rights issues, including Uyghur treatment and Jimmy Lai's imprisonment. Critics warn China poses national security threats, citing MI5 warnings about espionage. Conservatives accuse Starmer of lacking leverage after approving Beijing's controversial London embassy. The visit follows similar trips by Canadian and French leaders. (PC: BBC)
