Beijing: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping today to discuss what he hopes will deepen economic ties, signaling a possible breakthrough in relations after years of mistrust and tension between the two countries.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Starmer is scheduled to have a 40-minute meeting with Mr. Xi at the Great Hall of the People, followed by lunch. He is also scheduled to meet with Premier Li Qiang and Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People’s Congress. This visit by Mr. Starmer marks the first by a British Prime Minister to China since 2018.
Previously, the leaders of Canada and France also visited China, which is seen as a result of US President Donald Trump’s policies of distancing himself from Western allies and creating trade adversaries.