Several deals have been struck so far but there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions
Keir Starmer will be pleased that he has secured several agreements to mark his visit to Beijing and by the warm tone of President Xi Jinping’s remarks about his government. However, No 10’s announcements do not put a figure on the value of the deals, and there does not appear to be a big bundle of investments worth billions by Chinese or British firms, which prime ministers have usually tended to hold up as a sign of success. These are the agreements secured by the UK so far.
This is probably the biggest coup from the trip. Visa-free travel for Britons to visit China for under 30 days will allow holidays and business trips to take place without the usual bureaucracy. The agreement brings the UK into line with 50 other countries allowed visa-free travel for 30 days, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Japan.
The UK is a major exporter of services, providing £13bn worth to China every year. There is no free trade agreement currently on services, but the two countries agreed to a “feasibility study” about the possibility of a deal. If established, this could mean clear and legally binding rules for UK services firms doing business in China.
