By Micah Jonah
January 24, 2023
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer is set to travel to China next week on his first visit since 2018, accompanied by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and business secretary, Peter Kyle, in a move aimed at boosting trade and investment amid strained relations with the United States.
The visit will focus on promoting British financial services, luxury goods, and whisky, while reinforcing China’s investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and real estate. Reeves and Kyle will have separate schedules from Starmer but will join key business discussions. Notably, Brendan Nelson, Chairman of HSBC, is expected to be part of the business delegation.
Starmer’s China trip coincides with heightened transatlantic tensions, particularly following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims about Greenland, criticism of European policies. The British government has signaled the importance of the visit by approving China’s plans for a new embassy in London, a move some critics linked to securing the trip.
China remains the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner, with annual trade reaching around £100 billion in mid-2025. Officials plan to unveil a revamped UK-China CEO Council, including representatives from AstraZeneca, HSBC, and Jaguar Land Rover, to strengthen business cooperation.
Starmer emphasized the need for a “more sophisticated” approach to China, recognizing that bilateral relations have historically fluctuated. The government hopes the visit will boost the UK economy and support its domestic investment and public service priorities while carefully managing global diplomatic tensions.
