British Prime Minister Keir Starmer departed on Tuesday for a three-day visit to China aimed at strengthening trade and investment links with the world’s second-largest economy.

The trip marks the first visit by a UK prime minister to China since 2018 and comes as the British government looks to stimulate economic growth amid a challenging domestic outlook.

Mr Starmer is scheduled to hold talks in Beijing and Shanghai with senior Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, as well as with business executives.

The visit is focused on financial services, investment, and commercial cooperation, with British officials hoping to secure agreements that support growth, jobs and exports.

China remains one of the United Kingdom’s largest trading partners, despite a cooling of relations in recent years.

The visit takes place against a backdrop of heightened global trade tensions and increasingly complex relations between the United States and its allies.

It follows recent statements by US President Donald Trump warning of severe trade consequences for countries entering into certain economic arrangements with China.

These remarks have underscored the sensitivity surrounding engagement with Beijing for close US partners.

Mr Starmer took office eighteen months ago with a pledge to stabilise and improve relations with China after years of strained diplomatic ties.

UK officials have stated that engagement with Beijing will be conducted alongside measures to safeguard national security and protect critical infrastructure.

The trip also comes as European governments reassess their economic relationships with China amid shifting global supply chains, trade realignments and concerns over strategic dependence.

British officials have indicated that discussions during the visit will focus on pragmatic economic cooperation rather than broader geopolitical disputes.