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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official visit to China has yielded tangible results, demonstrating the breadth and depth of cooperation between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday.
As Guo Jiakun recalled at a regular briefing for journalists, this trip was the first visit by a British Prime Minister to China in eight years. Starmer also became the first head of state from among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, whom China accepted in 2026.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Christopher Starmer met on Thursday and agreed to develop a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership, convert the promising potential of cooperation into significant achievements, and open new horizons in Sino-British relations and cooperation, the official spokesman noted.
Guo Jiakun continued that Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji also held talks and meetings with Prime Minister Starmer, during which they had an in-depth exchange of views on promoting practical Sino-British cooperation in various fields and on resuming contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
According to the official representative, the parties agreed to establish a high-level China-UK partnership on climate and nature, resume the bilateral high-level security dialogue, and hold new rounds of institutional dialogues this year, including strategic and financial and economic dialogues, as well as a meeting of the China-UK Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs. China also decided to reduce tariffs on imported UK whisky from 10% to 5%, Guo Jiakun added.
The two sides agreed to develop cultural and humanitarian contacts and facilitate people-to-people exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen mutual trust, and also agreed in principle to resume normal exchanges between their legislative bodies, Guo Jiakun said, adding that China invites British parliamentarians to visit China more frequently if they wish, and will actively consider the possibility of unilaterally introducing a visa-free regime for British citizens.
During the visit, the prime ministers of the two countries witnessed the signing of 12 documents on intergovernmental cooperation in areas such as economics and trade, agriculture and food, culture and market regulation, and also attended the 2026 meeting of the China-UK Business Council.
According to him, the parties will also hold the first meetings of the China-UK Financial Working Group and the China-UK Insurance Forum.
As Guo Jiakun noted, it is particularly noteworthy that Starmer led a delegation of more than 60 senior representatives from the UK business and cultural sectors on his current visit to China.
“We have noticed that many British internet users view China as a reliable friend and partner,” the official said, adding that China is willing to work with the UK to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and jointly develop a long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership. –0–
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