UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first meeting between a British prime minister and the
Chinese leader in over five years. Downing Street confirmed that the discussion, scheduled for Monday, will focus on "serious, pragmatic" topics as the UK aims to strengthen its global engagement.
The meeting with President Xi will be one of several high-profile discussions Starmer is expected to hold during the two-day summit. Key global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, are anticipated to dominate the agenda. Reports of US President Joe Biden authorizing Ukraine to use American-supplied long-range missiles to strike inside Russia surfaced just before the summit began, adding urgency to the discussions.
Speaking to reporters en route to Brazil, Starmer highlighted the importance of the bilateral meeting. "We are both global players, global powers, and permanent members of the Security Council and the G20," he said. "China’s economy is the second largest in the world and one of our major trading partners. It’s crucial to have serious, pragmatic discussions with President Xi."
Trade relations are expected to feature prominently in the talks, especially amid concerns about potential global economic challenges. Starmer’s meeting with Xi will be the first such engagement since Theresa May met the Chinese leader in 2018. When asked if his government seeks a more collaborative relationship with Beijing, Starmer emphasized pragmatism. "Given the size of China’s economy, it’s essential we maintain a serious and constructive relationship," he stated.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who visited China in October, previously pledged to bring greater "consistency" to UK-China relations. He acknowledged a lack of "sufficient contact" under previous governments, particularly on sensitive issues like human rights.
Upon arrival in Rio in the early hours of Monday morning, Starmer was greeted by British ambassador Stephanie Al-Qaq. At the summit, he is expected to urge world leaders to accelerate their support for Ukraine and highlight the dire global consequences if Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression succeeds. Starmer’s warnings coincide with the 1,000-day milestone of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which will be marked during the summit.
Meanwhile, President Biden's authorization for Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied long-range missiles marks a significant shift in US policy, adding a new layer of complexity to discussions on global security.
The summit also marks the first visit by a UK prime minister to Brazil in 12 years. Starmer is expected to focus on strengthening economic growth and security both domestically and internationally. In a statement ahead of the summit, he said, "It is in the UK’s best interests to engage on the global stage – whether that’s building strong partnerships with allies or being honest with those whose values differ from our own."
The G20 summit in Rio is poised to serve as a platform for the UK to reaffirm its commitment to international cooperation while navigating the complex dynamics of its relationships with major powers like China and the US. Photo by Avelludo, Wikimedia commons.