Keir Starmer plans a China visit next week alongside prominent British business executives, according to reports. This trip follows the government’s approval of a controversial new Chinese embassy in London near the Tower of London.
Major multinational firms will accompany the prime minister on his delegation. Companies including BP, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, and Intercontinental Hotels Group are expected to participate. These organizations will also reportedly join a revamped partnership framework between the two nations called the UK-China CEO council.
National security adviser Jonathan Powell traveled to Beijing in November for preliminary discussions with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. This groundwork prepared the way for Starmer’s upcoming visit. Downing Street offered no early comment on Wednesday regarding the trip details.
Communities secretary Steve Reed approved the embassy construction last week after security officials assured him that potential national security risks could be managed effectively. Local residents have raised £145,000 to fund legal representation challenging this decision through judicial review, likely within six weeks.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson stated that Beijing has followed international diplomatic procedures and legal requirements for the new embassy. The spokesperson emphasized that providing diplomatic facilities represents a standard international obligation for host countries.
Broader diplomatic tensions influence UK-China relations currently. US president Donald Trump has claimed Greenland requires American control to counter Arctic security threats from China and Russia, creating additional geopolitical complexity.
The CEO council concept originated in 2018 when Theresa May and Chinese premier Li Keqiang launched it during what was termed “a golden era” of bilateral relations. Chinese representatives will likely include major state-owned banks and financial institutions like the Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Starmer would become the first UK prime minister visiting China since May’s 2018 trip. Chancellor Rachel Reeves visited in January with a business delegation, securing £600 million in investment commitments. Energy secretary Ed Miliband and trade secretary Peter Kyle have also conducted recent China visits for policy discussions.
