UK’s Starmer met Premier Li Qiang at G20 in South Africa amid Beijing visit rumours
Speculation on a Beijing trip comes as Britain’s PM said he would protect UK national interests after questions about engagement with China
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 summit last week amid speculation that he could visit Beijing early next year and the country’s controversial embassy in London will be approved.
The two leaders are understood to have greeted each other only briefly during a “brush-by” rather than holding formal bilateral talks, after which a readout covering what was discussed would usually be expected from Starmer’s office.
Asked last week if he would visit the country, Starmer said no visit had been confirmed yet, while officials refused to comment on speculation about a planned Chinese “mega embassy” near the Tower of London.
“Our approach is the same approach as we’ve always taken, which is cooperate where we can and challenge where we must, particularly on national security,” he said.