After years of strained ties, China and the U.K. on Thursday pledged to develop a long-term strategic partnership following a high-stakes meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer is on a 4-day visit to China, the first trip by a British prime minister in eight years — signaling an attempt at resetting relations between the two countries after years of distrust and acrimony.
The U.K. in the past has accused China of conducting espionage in the country, and labeled it as a long-term strategic challenge. Beijing’s crackdowns on democratic protests in Hong Kong, a former British colony, and imposition of a sweeping national security legislature in 2020 further strained bilateral ties.
The two countries said they will expand cooperation in key areas including education, healthcare, finance and artificial intelligence research, biological sciences and new energy development, according to a statement released by Chinese state media.
Beijing will also consider opening visa-free entry for British nationals, the statement said, while urging London to create a fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese firms operating in the U.K.
