UPDATE - China's Xi hosts UK’s Starmer in 1st visit by a British leader in 8 years

ADDS REMARKS FROM TWO LEADERS

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing on Thursday, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Starmer, who arrived Wednesday, said the trip aims to create opportunities that will benefit the UK.

The visit marks the first time a British prime minister has visited China since 2018 and comes amid tensions over US tariffs as well as strains among Western allies over issues including US ambitions in Greenland.

Starmer is accompanied by around 60 leaders from business, academia and cultural sectors.

Opening the meeting, Xi said the relationship with Britain had been through "twists and turns" that did not serve the interests of either country and that China stood ready to develop a long-term strategic partnership.

Xi described the state of the world as “turbulent and fluid,” saying more dialogue between the UK and China was imperative, whether it was “for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples."

He told Starmer that their countries must strengthen ties to counter geopolitical headwinds.

Starmer said “China is a vital player on the global stage, and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship."

“The current international situation is complex and intertwined. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, China and the UK need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation,” he said.

​​​​​​​He added that the UK is seeking a "more sophisticated relationship" with China.

"This is a historic visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years. We have made this trip because I believe it is strongly in our common interest to find positive ways to work together, and that has been our longstanding position," Starmer said.

He said he looked forward to "a very productive few days" discussing issues of global stability and security, growth and shared challenges like climate change.

Before his meeting with Xi, Starmer was welcomed by National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.