President Xi meets British PM Keir Starmer on fostering long-term strategic partnership

President Xi Jinping hosted Keir Starmer in central Beijing earlier today on the first visit by a British prime minister in eight years.

The two have agreed to deepen economic ties and called for a "comprehensive strategic partnership" amid global uncertainty.

The British side pointed out the prosperity of Hong Kong is in line with their common interests and that they are eager to see the SAR serve as a unique and important bridge between the two countries.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is the latest Western leader to engage in a flurry of diplomacy with Beijng at a time when the ties between Europe and the United States soured due to disputes over trade and security.

President Xi Jinping said that he hopes to see a long-term and consistent strategic partnership with the UK during a meeting with Starmer at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi said the relationship between their nations had gone through "twists and turns" that did not serve the interests of either side.

Now faced with intertwined turmoil and change in the international landscape, he said as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and the UK need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to safeguard world peace and stability, while boosting the economies and people's livelihoods in both nations.

The Chinese leader has called Starmer's visit ahead of the looming Year of the Horse an auspicious sign that will lead the way in breaking fresh ground for further collaboration.

Starmer delivered greetings from King Charles III and stressed the significance of building a "more sophisticated" relationship with China, saying the country is a "vital player on the global stage."

Starmer vowed to maintain high-level exchanges with Beijing, promote close exchanges in various fields, and ramp up cooperation in trade, investment, finance and environmental protection.

He also stressed the UK's stance on the Taiwan question remains unchanged.

Later, standing outside the Forbidden City where he's given a tour, Starmer briefed reporters about some progress coming out of their 80-minute summit.

Starmer said: "Yes we had a very good, productive session with real concrete outcomes and it was a very strengthening of the relationship and that's in the national interest because of course, there are huge opportunities here in China."

"And we made some really good progress on tariffs for whisky, on visa-free travel to China, and on information exchange and cooperation on irregular migration, focusing particularly on small boats and engine parts. So, a very good constructive meeting with real outcomes and that's very much in our national interest."

He also held separate meetings with Premier Li Qiang and China's top legislator Zhao Leji in Beijing.

On Wednesday evening, Starmer and his entourage were spotted dining at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant known for mushroom-based dishes in Sanlitun area. Photos and videos featuring the British prime minister went viral online and sparked widespread discussion.

Some netizens recalled the restaurant was visited by former US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.