Starmer’s Beijing Visit Marks New UK-China Agreements on Trade and Travel

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s January 2026 visit to Beijing focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the United Kingdom and China. The visit resulted in several agreements impacting travel, trade, and business cooperation.

Starmer’s trip marked the first official visit to China by a UK prime minister since 2018. He was joined by a group of nearly 60 representatives from British business and cultural organisations, reflecting a broad engagement effort.

During discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, both leaders agreed to pursue a long-term and comprehensive strategic partnership. The meeting lasted approximately 80 minutes, which was twice the originally planned duration.

The two governments announced new measures to facilitate travel and trade. China agreed to allow British citizens visa-free entry for visits of up to 30 days. In addition, China committed to reducing tariffs on Scotch whisky imports from 10% to 5%.

What the numbers show

• Starmer’s visit took place from 28 to 31 January 2026
• China’s tariff on Scotch whisky dropped from 10% to 5%
• AstraZeneca announced a £10.8 billion investment in China through 2030
• The Scotch whisky industry is estimated to benefit by £250 million over five years
• Nearly 60 UK business and cultural groups joined the delegation

Business cooperation was highlighted by AstraZeneca’s announcement of a planned £10.8 billion investment in China through 2030. This investment was presented alongside the trade and travel agreements as part of the broader partnership agenda.

Starmer and Xi also agreed to work together on restricting the supply of Chinese-made small boat equipment to traffickers, as part of efforts to address people-smuggling. This cooperation was included among the practical outcomes of the visit.

Human rights topics were raised by Starmer during the meetings, including the case of British citizen Jimmy Lai. These issues were discussed as part of the broader diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Starmer stated the importance of developing what he described as a “sophisticated relationship” with China. He referenced the need to balance increased engagement with ongoing security considerations.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.