At the G20 summit in Rio, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised concerns directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the deteriorating condition of a British citizen and Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai and sanctions imposed on British MPs.

This high-level encounter marked the first meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese leader in six years.

Starmer called for improved UK-China relations, emphasizing the need for a relationship that is “consistent, durable, respectful and, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible.” The meeting sought to address years of diplomatic tension, underscored by issues of human rights and parliamentary sanctions.

Push for Stronger Bilateral Relations

Starmer affirmed that “a strong UK-China relationship is important for both of our countries and for the broader international community.” He expressed his commitment to positioning the UK as a “predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.”

In a show of diplomacy, Starmer proposed a full bilateral meeting with Premier Li Qiang, suggesting it take place either in Beijing or London.

He also mentioned plans for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to meet Vice-Premier He Lifeng for an economic dialogue in January. “I’m keen that my chancellor should meet with Vice-Premier He for the upcoming economic financial dialogue early next year to explore more investment projects and a more level playing field to help our businesses,” Starmer said.

However, tensions surfaced when Chinese officials escorted British journalists out of the room as Starmer brought up Lai’s situation. Despite this, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s concerns, stating, “We are concerned by reports of Jimmy Lai’s deterioration.”

In response, Xi adopted a notably positive tone, remarking that Starmer was “fixing the foundations” of the UK economy, a phrase echoing the British Prime minister’s own economic messaging. “The world has entered a new period marked by turbulence and transformation,” Xi noted.

He further stated that China was pursuing comprehensive reform to advance its vision of modernization. The Chinese leader suggested that this meeting could “break new ground” in UK-China relations, hinting at an era of potential rapprochement.

Starmer’s meeting followed calls from prominent Conservative MPs, including Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns, urging him to spotlight the plight of UK nationals like Lai. The Hong Kong media owner has been detained under Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy figures.

Diplomatic Shifts Amid Historical Tensions

The last direct engagement between a UK prime minister and Xi occurred in 2018 when Theresa May visited Beijing during Brexit negotiations. Relations have since become fraught, exacerbated by cyber threats, the erosion of Hong Kong’s political freedoms, and sanctions on British MPs.

The UK’s response to China has ranged from cautious diplomacy to more assertive language, with past leaders contemplating whether to formally classify China as a security threat.

Efforts to rekindle ties began under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who aimed to meet Xi during the 2022 G20 summit, only for those plans to collapse due to the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Conservative governments have wavered over adopting language that would label China as a more significant threat than even the US has publicly stated.

The current Labour administration, however, signals a shift. Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s recent visit to China marked the first indication that Starmer’s government prioritizes a renewed diplomatic approach.

Reeves, who is seen as a key figure in developing economic ties, is set to head to Beijing in January to bolster discussions on trade and investment.

Starmer and Reeves’ pursuit of strengthened relations is driven by pragmatism. As the UK grapples with its post-Brexit economic landscape, Labour’s leadership underscores the necessity of engaging China, the world’s second-largest economy, for sustained growth and global influence.