In a meeting at the G20 summit in Rio, the first between the UK and China's leaders in six years, Starmer said he would be keen to host a full bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping and China's premier, Li Qiang, in Beijing or London as soon as possible, aimed at turning the page on frosty UK-China relations.
But the prime minister also raised human rights concerns with the Chinese president about sanctions on British Conservative MPs and the deterioration of Lai, a British citizen and Hong Kong democracy activist.
Starmer promised a "strong UK-China relationship" and said the pair had agreed there should be no more "surprises" between the two countries. Chinese officials bundled British journalists out of the meeting when Starmer raised the plight of Lai, who is being held in Hong Kong.
In a marked change of tone from previous years, Xi said Starmer was "fixing the foundations" of the UK economy, echoing the prime minister's own slogan. He said the pair would "break new ground" in the relationship.
This story is from the November 19, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 19, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kumbh Mela crush: How elation turned to horror as tragedy unfolded at festival
As the sun set on the sangam, the sacred meeting point of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers on Tuesday, there was a mood of jubilation on the banks. This was the eve of one of the holiest days of the Kumbh Mela festival – the largest religious gathering not only in India but the world – and millions had made long journeys to immerse themselves in the water.
Akanji says City can 'beat every team in Europe' after slow start
Manuel Akanji is convinced Manchester City can rediscover their best levels to go far in the Champions League and has warned Real Madrid and Bayern Munich they can \"beat every team in Europe\".
Central Bank Cuts Eurozone Interest Rates as Growth Stagnates
The European Central Bank has cut interest rates to ease the cost of borrowing across the 20-member eurozone as growth stagnates in the region.
Swedish PM says killing of protester may be linked to 'foreign power'
Sweden's prime minister has said a foreign power may have been involved in the fatal shooting of an anti-Islam campaigner killed hours before a trial verdict over his burning of the Qur'an was due.
We're done with corruption' Serbia's students rise up against the system
Sitting on the balustrade of a viaduct in Belgrade, Uroš Pantović wasn't in the mood to mince his words. The 22-year-old had joined tens of thousands of other protesters on Monday to block one of the Serbian capital's main intersections, turning the junction into a sea of mostly good-humoured but nonetheless determined dissent.
Channel 4 boss urges TV sector to unite against 'tech titans'
The head of Channel 4 has called on the television industry to unite to battle the \"wanton abandonment of the pursuit of truth\" by \"tech titans\" seeking profits.
Arsenal Snap Up USA Defender Nighswonger From Gotham
Arsenal signed the USA defender Jenna Nighswonger before the Women's Super League transfer window closed last night.
Flight 5342 Russian former world champions and two skaters, 16, among the dead
The figure skating world united in grief yesterday after it emerged that as many as 14 skaters and their coaches were onboard the American Airlines plane that crashed into the Potomac River on Wednesday night.
Dissident in Cairo jail may give up British citizenship in despair
Alaa Abd El Fattah, the British-Egyptian political dissident held in a Cairo jail for more than five years, has reached such a state of despair over the UK's inability to secure his release that he has contemplated renouncing both citizenships, his letters reveal.
Ramallah Jubilant crowds greet 'folk hero' prisoner
As the line of white buses drew closer to the West Bank city of Ramallah at dusk, the most notorious passenger stood at the window of one bus and waved.
