January 27, 2026
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to start a three-day visit to China on 28 January, the first visit by a UK leader to China since 2018. PM Starmer is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to deepen relations between the two countries. The UK is likely to seek cooperation regarding Chinese technology and investment, as well as access for UK financial services and the automobile industry to the Chinese market. The visit comes amid strained relations between the UK and the United States and follows the UK’s approval of a new Chinese Embassy in London.