Editorial | Starmer’s visit to China highlights benefits of dialogue over confrontation

Starmer, the first British leader to visit China since 2018, promised after his election victory in 2024 to reset the relationship. His trip, which included a meeting with Xi, is the biggest step yet in that direction. It comes as Britain and European Union nations face uncertainty in their ties with the United States amid President Donald Trump’s trade war and talk of taking Greenland.

Governments cannot rely on the US alone and need to engage other powers. China, the world’s second largest economy, can no longer be ignored. There has been a flurry of trips to China by leaders, including from Canada, France, Finland, Ireland and South Korea.

Starmer’s visit has underlined the benefits that can flow from dialogue and diplomacy rather than confrontation. Several deals were struck. British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca committed to investing US$15 billion in China, a move that will enable it to expand medicine manufacturing and boost research and development. British citizens are to be granted visa-free access to China, creating valuable opportunities for people-to-people exchanges. A services agreement is being explored. These are positive developments. The meeting with Zhao Leji, head of China’s national legislature, was significant, opening up the prospect of a renewal of ties between lawmakers.

Starmer’s assertion that Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity is in the shared interests of both nations and his description of the city as a unique bridge are welcome. Hong Kong has a close, long-standing connection with the United Kingdom, with links in many areas, from finance to education and culture. The city can play a bigger role, especially in bringing people together.

But the most important outcome is the willingness of both leaders to work constructively and respectfully together, not allowing differences between the countries to prevent progress. The national security case of former media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying did not appear to hinder relations getting back on track or the forging of greater business and trade collaboration.