Sir Keir Starmer told Xi Jinping that he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China as the two leaders met in Beijing seeking to patch up ties strained by years of spying scandals and geopolitical tensions.

The British leader has made improving relations with the world's second-largest economy a priority, despite misgivings about espionage and human rights.

Keir Starmer, who is travelling with 60 business and cultural leaders, is the first British prime minister to visit China in eight years.

The leaders of China and the U.K. are meeting as the two nations try to improve relations after years of tension

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that his country doesn't have to choose between relations with the United States and China as he started a four-day trip to China aimed at repairing ties and expanding opportunities for British companies in the world’s second-largest economy.

"We are resolute about being outward-looking, about taking opportunities, about building relationships...and always being absolutely focused on our national interest." For a UK prime minister, the politics of engaging with China is tricky.

The leaders of China and the U.K. are meeting as the two nations try to improve relations after years of tension.

Keir Starmer began the first visit to China by a British prime minister since 2018 on Wednesday (January 28), seeking to strengthen political and business ties with Beijing as relations between Western countries and the U.