Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Britain's Starmer arrives in China as Western alliances face strain

Starmer leads nearly 60 UK businesses to China aiming to boost trade and investment while addressing security and human rights concerns amid complex global pressures.

  • On Wednesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Beijing on January 28, 2026, for a four-day visit, stepping off a chartered British Airways plane greeted by a guard of honour and bouquet.
  • The visit is intended to reset relations and draw inward investment, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer bringing more than 60 British business and cultural leaders to focus on net-zero supply chains.
  • He is due to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing and visit Shanghai, accompanied by nearly 60 executives including BP, Rolls-Royce, AstraZeneca, and Rachel Reeves.
  • Critics reacted sharply, calling the trip `kowtowing`, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Prime Minister Starmer is too weak and the U.K. government insists it will protect national security.
  • Growing U.S. tariff use has made expanding trade with China more urgent, with Western governments hedging exposure and Canada, via Mark Carney, offering a model with a landmark trade deal earlier this month.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

71 Articles

Lean Left

Negotiations with China are threatening diplomatic tensions.

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

South China Morning Post broke the news in Hong Kong on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal