UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People as part of his three-day visit to China. Following the summit, which lasted approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, Starmer is expected to tour the Forbidden City and sign agreements with Premier Li Qiang.
During his three-day visit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met today with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People concluded after around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
After the meeting with Xi Jinping, Starmer is expected to visit the Forbidden City and sign agreements alongside Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
In his remarks during the meeting, Xi Jinping said that in recent years UK–China relations had experienced “ups and downs that do not serve the interests of the two countries.”
Describing the global situation as “turbulent and volatile,” Xi emphasized that greater dialogue between the UK and China is “essential for world peace and stability, as well as for the economies and peoples of both countries.” The Chinese president added:
“China is ready to develop a long-term and consistent strategic partnership with the United Kingdom. This will benefit both our peoples.”
“Engagement with China is inevitable, and I appreciate that,” he said.
An Unusual Gift
Starmer presented President Xi with the football used in the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.
It had previously been reported that Xi Jinping is a Manchester United supporter. Manchester United defeated Starmer’s favored team, Arsenal, 3–2 on Sunday.