BEIJING — Almost 60 British businesses and cultural organizations are accompanying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his visit to China this week. This marks the first state visit by a UK Prime Minister in eight years.
Starmer is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday to discuss trade, investment, and national security. An official UK statement outlined these discussions and detailed the business representatives joining the British leader.
The group includes leaders from the financial sector, such as HSBC Group Chairman Brendan Nelson and Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor. Airbus's General Counsel John Harrison and British Airways Chief Commercial Officer Colm Lacy are also part of the delegation.
Additionally, pharmaceutical industry leaders, including AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and GSK Chair Sir Jonathan Symonds, are accompanying Starmer.
This visit comes amidst a series of diplomatic meetings in Beijing involving various foreign leaders, coinciding with increased tensions between the US and its trade partners, and disputes concerning Greenland.
Earlier this month, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing. Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin arrived earlier in 2026 for the first Irish leader's visit in 14 years and held discussions with Xi on the first Monday of the year. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also met with Xi during the same period.
Starmer's visit arrives shortly after the UK government approved the establishment of an expansive new Chinese Embassy in London, a project delayed for years due to political and security concerns.
The UK is seeking to strengthen new trade and investment alliances with Beijing. This comes as US President Donald Trump's foreign policies and tariff threats have caused uncertainty for traditional allies, including the European Union and Canada. Trump previously considered a 10% tariff against European countries opposing his Greenland ambitions and threatened a 100% tariff on Canada over its free trade negotiations with China.
The UK government stated that Starmer will advocate for access in sectors like financial services, creative industries, and life sciences, emphasizing economic growth and prosperity for the British populace. However, he is expected to maintain a firm stance on national security, stressing the importance of 'frank and open dialogue' in areas of disagreement with China.