Starmer, Xi Report Progress on Trade, Travel and Migration Talks in Beijing

Beijing, Jan 29: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday yielded positive progress on a range of issues, including tariffs, travel, and irregular migration, placing UK–China relations in what he described as a “strong position.”

Speaking to reporters after an 80-minute meeting in Beijing, Starmer said the two sides advanced talks on reducing tariffs on British whisky, expanding visa-free travel to China, and strengthening information-sharing to tackle irregular migration, including the use of small boats to reach Britain.

According to Starmer, negotiations covered both the scale of potential whisky tariff reductions and the timeframe for implementation. He added that cooperation on migration would involve greater exchanges of information as part of a broader strategic focus on security and defense.

The prime minister said easing whisky tariffs reflected his wider objective of opening up greater opportunities for British companies in the Chinese market. The visit, he noted, forms part of the UK government’s efforts to stimulate growth in Britain’s slowing economy by deepening trade ties abroad.

Starmer also confirmed that he and Xi held what he described as a “respectful” discussion on Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media tycoon and British citizen convicted in December on national security charges.

The meeting underscores renewed diplomatic engagement between London and Beijing as both sides explore ways to manage differences while expanding cooperation in trade, travel, and security-related areas.