Keir Starmer has confirmed his intention to address important issues during his upcoming meeting with China’s President regarding human rights concerns. The Prime Minister’s visit to China, the first by a British PM in eight years, aims to strengthen ties with the world’s second-largest economy to stimulate economic growth and reduce domestic living costs.
In navigating the delicate balance between fostering Chinese business relations and upholding national security and human rights values, the PM received a formal welcome upon his arrival in Beijing accompanied by a delegation of business and cultural figures to promote British interests.
During his visit, Starmer will engage in various meetings and attend a grand banquet, emphasizing diplomacy. Notably, he plans to present President Xi with a signed football following his team’s recent match against Manchester United, a gesture highlighting their shared interest in sports.
While en route, Starmer defended his approach to engaging with China, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and not compromising on national security. However, he refrained from disclosing specific topics he would raise with the Chinese premier, including sensitive issues like the imprisonment of pro-Democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims in re-education camps.
Human Rights Watch’s UK Director, Yasmine Ahmed, urged the PM to prioritize human rights concerns over profit, stressing the long-term economic and security benefits of maintaining principled stances during international engagements.
In line with seeking common ground with China, the PM is set to announce a new border security agreement aimed at combatting human trafficking. The deal will involve joint law enforcement efforts to disrupt the supply chain of small boat parts used by criminal groups to smuggle migrants across borders.
Efforts will also be intensified to combat the production and trafficking of dangerous synthetic opioids. Starmer emphasized the importance of addressing organized crime beyond borders to enhance border security and prevent risky crossings.
Despite concerns about potential espionage threats, the PM dismissed reports of Chinese hacking and assured robust security measures during the trip, including the use of secure communication devices. Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat humorously remarked on the precautions taken by the British delegation to safeguard against espionage risks.
The UK Government’s chartering of planes for official visits, as seen in past delegations to India, underscores the significance of facilitating large-scale diplomatic engagements.