China-UK relations: Keir Starmer tells Xi Jinping Britain seeks ties without ‘surprises’

UK will be predictable ‘sovereign actor committed to the rule of law,’ British PM tells Chinese president on G20 sidelines

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Chinese President Xi Jinping with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G20 summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:04pm, 18 Nov 2024Updated: 10:48pm, 18 Nov 2024

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping that having strong ties without “surprises” was good for both their nations, as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Brazil on Monday.

During their meeting, Starmer said he wanted relations with China to be “consistent, durable, respectful, and, as we have agreed, [to] avoid surprises where possible”, according to The Guardian.

He also brought up the issues of human rights and sanctions on parliamentarians, the report said.

“A strong UK-China relationship is important for both of our countries and for the broader international community. The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law,” Starmer said at the start of the meeting.

The Chinese and British delegations, led by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, hold talks on the G20 margins in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Photo: AFP

Xi said that while China and Britain had different values, culture and social systems, they had common interests and should view each other’s development “rationally and objectively, strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, and ensure that bilateral relations are stable, practical and long-term”, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.