The U.K. prime minister secured the meeting as he tries to find ways to boost Britain’s sluggish economic growth and deepen relations in a time of global turmoil.
He pitched Britain as a “predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law,” addressing Xi as political reporters were invited in to cover his opening remarks for colleagues in the traveling U.K. press pack.
“We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, and as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible,” Starmer said from the room at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. “A strong U.K.-China relationship is important for both of our countries and for the broader international community.”
But the situation shifted as Starmer went on to raise human rights, Taiwan, Chinese sanctions on British parliamentarians and the case of Jimmy Lai — the British national pro-democracy media mogul who is facing trial in Hong Kong. The PM said he was “concerned” to hear of Lai’s “deterioration.”
At that point the two British reporters in the room were removed by Beijing’s officials.
‘Level playing field’
Elsewhere in the meeting, Starmer suggested his Chancellor Rachel Reeves could meet with her counterpart He Lifeng, in an effort to restart the long-stalled U.K.-China Economic and Financial Dialogue.