The UK prime minister’s China visit reflects the realities of a new global order that has upended traditional alliances.

Britain and China said an extended period of turbulence in Sino-British ties was over after face-to-face talks between Xi Jinping and Keir Starmer.

Starmer spent around three hours with Xi at a formal summit and a lunch, during which the pair discussed trade and security, the war in Ukraine, and also soccer and Shakespeare.

Despite the controversy, Starmer’s visit has yielded tangible agreements