Visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a business forum in Beijing on January 30, 2026. Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT

Visiting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer encouraged the UK businesses to engage more with China, as he addressed a business forum in Beijing on Friday. "I fundamentally believe that the more we engage, the more we exchange, the more we take advantage of the opening of access, to opportunities, business, art, and culture, and so many others, then that is the way that we build the mutual trust and respect that is so important," he said. 

At an opening remark to the China-UK business forum, Starmer described his visit to China as a historic trip. "Because this is the first time in 8 years that the British prime minister has been here on Chinese soil. Eight long years, a historic occasion."

The British PM emphasized during a three-minute speech that both China and Britain look forward to developing that comprehensive and strategic partnership that is both long term and consistent.

The forum was attended by government representatives, business associations, and corporate leaders from both China and the UK. Global Times reporters observed at the venue that the atmosphere was lively, with extensive exchanges between Chinese and British business representatives on cooperation and investment.

"The most important thing today is that you all talk to each other…Because all of our delegation has had the chance to talk their counterparts and to advance the opportunities that they want to take. So let's make the best of this time," Starmer said. 

The Global Times has learned that during Starmer's visit to China, the two countries reached a series of significant outcomes aimed at restarting and deepening bilateral cooperation.

Key achievements included the resumption of the China-UK High-Level Security Dialogue, the convening of a new round of the China-UK Strategic Dialogue and Economic and Financial Dialogue, and the holding of a China-UK Entrepreneurs Committee meeting. The Chinese side also is actively considering implementing a unilateral visa-free policy for British citizens.

In addition, the two sides signed 12 inter-governmental cooperation documents covering fields such as economy and trade, agriculture and food security, culture, and market regulation.