Keir Starmer made his pitch to ‘vital’ China today as Xi Jinping suggested the Communist state prefers Labour governments.
The PM held two hours of talks with the autocratic president in Beijing in the early hours of this morning, insisting he wants a more ‘sophisticated’ relationship.
Xi talked up the advantages of his tightly-controlled country, contrasting that stability with the the volatile behaviour of the US Donald Trump.
He pointedly noted that ‘Labour governments’ have made ‘important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations’ – complaining that there had been ‘twists and turns’ in the ties.
After the discussions, Sir Keir said Xi was someone he could do business with, although he stressed he had also raised human rights issues.
The PM and his business delegation will sign a series of deals this morning, as he seeks to neutralise accusations of ‘kowtowing’ to a state that is engaged in industrial scale espionage.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting during his visit to China
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fourth right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, fifth left, with their delegations participate in a bilateral meeting
The prime minister is visiting China with a delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing
Xi told the PM that more dialogue was ‘imperative’ for the sake of ‘world peace and stability’ as well as their economies.
It comes as tensions between the US and Iran spiked once again yesterday after Mr Trump warned that a ‘massive armada’ is ready to strike if the Islamic Republic does not make a deal on nuclear weapons.
At the start of their meeting in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People close to Tiananmen Square, President Xi said: ‘China-UK relations went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries.’
But he singled out Sir Keir’s party for praise, saying: ‘In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations.’
He added: ‘China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples.’
President Xi also told Sir Keir they would ‘stand the test of history’ if they could ‘rise above differences’.
He said: ‘Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention.
‘Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead fortitude.’
The president quoted a Chinese proverb: ‘Range far your eye over long distances.’
In response, Sir Keir told his host he wanted a ‘more sophisticated’ relationship with China in their meeting on Thursday morning.
He said it had been ‘too long’ since a British Prime Minister had visited China, which he called a ‘vital player on the world stage’.
‘It is with the British people in mind that I am here today,’ he said.
‘I made the promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government that I would make Britain face outwards again.
‘Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.’
Earlier the Prime Minister had been welcomed by the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, who praised his efforts to improve relations between their countries.
China flew the Union Jack at Beijing’s Tiananmen Gate to mark Sir Keir’s arrival
Zhao Leji said relations were now on ‘the correct track to improvement and development’ and ‘positive progress has been made’.
Sir Keir said: ‘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 long-standing position.’
He added: ‘I look forward to a very productive few days discussing issues of global stability and security, growth and shared challenges like climate change.’
