UK seeks 'consistent, durable, respectful' ties with China at G20 summit

LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a landmark meeting Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil, marking the first face-to-face engagement between a UK leader and the Chinese president since 2018.

The meeting, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, was described as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of a "strong UK-China relationship" while addressing key global challenges and bilateral concerns.

Ahead of the talks, Starmer stressed the need for constructive engagement with China on pressing issues such as international stability, climate change and economic growth.

"It is right to engage with China on areas of mutual cooperation," he said, underscoring that any interactions would remain firmly rooted in the UK’s national interests.

During their discussion, Starmer conveyed the UK’s desire for a "consistent, durable and respectful" relationship with China.

"The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law," he said.

He also emphasized the importance of avoiding unexpected developments in bilateral relations and proposed a full-scale meeting between the two nations' leaders either in Beijing or London to deepen dialogue.

The meeting builds on earlier contact between Starmer and Xi, who spoke via phone in August shortly after the Labour Party's election victory.

However, this in-person dialogue at the G20 marks a significant step in re-establishing high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi told Starmer that Beijing and London should “shoulder the responsibility of addressing global challenges.”

“With broad space for cooperation, the two countries should live up to their strategic partnership and commit to mutual respect, openness and cooperation for shared benefit and a win-win result,” said Xi.