UK and China Agree New Deals, 30-Day Visa-Free Entry, in Starmer’s Beijing Visit

Overview

• Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in Beijing after leading a delegation of senior executives from roughly 50 major UK companies.
• Both governments outlined commercial and investment commitments, with Beijing describing the talks as opening a new chapter in relations.
• Starmer said the visit produced progress on whisky taxes, a 30-day visa exemption for British visitors to China, and information-sharing on irregular migrants.
• Xi said China would not be a threat to other countries and called for cooperation under multilateral rules.
• The push to rebuild ties follows years of friction over Hong Kong and alleged espionage and comes as Western partners reassess approaches given unpredictable U.S. policy under President Trump.