As UK PM Starmer leaves China, what did he achieve – and what next for Sino-British ties?
The British leader’s trip has so far yielded tariff cuts and agreements on trade and investment
The UK delegation will attend a reception in Shanghai on Friday evening, according to Peter Burnett, chief executive of the China-Britain Business Council. A business forum will be held, followed by lunch on Saturday before the group departs the country.
“I think we signed some more deals this morning, including a very exciting MOU [memorandum of understanding] between the China-Britain Business Council and Suzhou of Jiangsu province, to create an innovation hub,” he said, noting that start-ups looking to expand in China would be given a warm welcome in the city.
Describing the trip as “a huge relief”, Burnett said there had been “a great sense of optimism” because it was the first trip by a UK prime minister to China in years.
“It’s been kind of almost irresponsible that there hasn’t been outreach from a prime minister for eight years, so we’re really pleased that that is happening,” he added.
“It inspires confidence on both sides. It shows that there’s approval from both the Chinese leadership and the British leadership for business activities in China.”
On Thursday, Starmer announced Beijing would lower import tariffs on Scotch whisky from 10 per cent to 5 per cent, saving exporters £250 million (US$344 million) over the next five years.
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