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image captionBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping
1 hour ago
Sam Francis, Jennifer McKiernan BBC News
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 18th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the Group of 20 (G20) summit is being held, emphasizing the importance of a “strong relationship” between the two countries. emphasized.
This will be the first direct meeting between the British Prime Minister and President Xi since 2018. Relations between the two countries have continued to deteriorate over the past six years.
He also made special mention of “areas of mutual cooperation” such as international stability, climate change, and economic growth, and also mentioned the need for greater business cooperation in these areas.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Starmer said: “As we have already agreed, we want a mutually respectful, consistent and strong relationship. We also want to avoid surprises wherever possible.” Ta.
He added: “The UK will act as a predictable, consistent and sovereign nation committed to the rule of law.”
In response, Xi said through an interpreter that the two countries should commit to mutual respect and openness. “China and the UK have great scope for cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare, and improving the physical and mental well-being of each other’s peoples.”
Minutes of the meeting, which took place behind closed doors, revealed that Prime Minister Starmer said the British and Chinese leaders shared common interests in global stability, economic co-operation, trade and the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. He said that it is the responsibility of the government to cooperate with the government.
Prime Minister Starmer has demonstrated his commitment to climate change. A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said the prime minister was seeking China’s support in global efforts, especially as incoming US President Donald Trump is expected to roll back environmental measures.
But the Prime Minister stressed that the UK government’s approach would be “always rooted in Britain’s national interests, but to be a predictable and pragmatic partner with China”.
On the other hand, against the backdrop of China’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has been criticized by the UK and other Western countries, Mr. Starmer has expressed his opinions on issues such as Hong Kong, human rights, and Russia’s war in Ukraine. He said he wants to have “frank and honest dialogue” on areas of disagreement.
This meeting follows a telephone conversation held in August after Labor won the UK general election in July this year. Prime Minister Starmer has now proposed comprehensive bilateral talks in Beijing or London.
The two leaders also agreed that British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves will visit Beijing next year to discuss economic and financial cooperation with China’s Vice Premier of the State Council, He Lifeng.
Priti Patel, Shadow Foreign Secretary of Britain’s main opposition party, the Conservative Party, said: “If the Prime Minister does not vigorously defend Britain’s national interests, we risk weakening our standing in the world.”
Mr Patel added that while constructive dialogue was important, the Prime Minister had said: They should have voiced their concerns more strongly. Mr. Rei should be released.”
“Mr Starmer seems intent on resetting relations with China, but as part of that he must clarify what assurances he has received from President Xi on the UK’s concerns,” Patel said.
Tension and cooperation with China
Ahead of the meeting in Brazil, Starmer said it was important to engage with economies like China. Also last month, Foreign Minister David Lamy met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang in Beijing.
The last British Prime Minister that President Xi met was Theresa May. During her visit to China in January 2018, May hailed the UK-China relationship as entering a “golden age”.
Last year, Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said China was “the biggest state threat to our economic security”.
But Sunak, like the current administration, also said there is a need to engage with China on issues such as climate change and the global economy.
Dr. Yu Jie, a China expert at Britain’s Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham House, believes that this summit held at the G20 is the key to reconciling UK-China relations, which have been frozen for six years. He called it “extremely important.” He said that although diplomatic relations are tense, a trade deal may be on the horizon.
“Judging by the announcements made by both sides, it appears that the discussions were in a positive tone. However, when it comes to specifics, it appears that no agreement has been reached on the thorny issues,” he said. He also warned that efforts by both sides could be influenced by American pressure.
Anticipating that the United States’ China policy under the Trump administration would be “hawkish,” he said, “If the United States intends to put even more pressure on the United Kingdom to align with the United States on China policy, then “This poses a very difficult problem for the British government,” he said.
Starmer prioritizes “strengthening support for Ukraine”
Play video, “As the 1000th day of the Ukraine war approaches, the G20…diplomacy with the next Trump administration in mind”, Duration 3,0603:06Video description: As the 1,000th day of the Ukraine war approaches, the G20 plans diplomacy with the incoming Trump administration in mind
On his way to the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Starmer told reporters that “strengthening support for Ukraine” was his top priority.
Ahead of the summit, the prime minister’s office said the prime minister would urge other G20 countries to step up support for Ukraine, saying that allowing Russia to win would have “incalculable consequences.”
Until now, long-range missiles were only allowed to be used by Ukraine to attack Russian-occupied territory within its territory.
Prime Minister Starmer said he was “not going to discuss operational details” regarding Ukrainian missiles.
The G20 includes representatives from 19 of the world’s largest economies, the African Union (AU), and the European Union (EU).
However, the presence of US President-elect Trump, who was not present, has cast a shadow over the summit.
The summit will also be the first opportunity for world leaders to exchange views and prepare for Trump’s return to the White House.
1) What were the main topics discussed during Prime Minister Starmer’s meeting with President Xi of China? How did they differ from previous discussions between UK and Chinese leaders?
2) The meeting took place amidst tense diplomatic relations between the UK and China. How do you assess the potential for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare, and improving the well-being of each other’s peoples?
3) What specific concerns did Prime Minister Starmer raise regarding human rights, Hong Kong, and Russia’s war in Ukraine during the meeting? How did President Xi respond to these concerns?
4) How important is it for countries like the UK to engage with China on issues like climate change and the global economy despite diplomatic tensions? What challenges might arise due to US pressure on allies to align their policies with regard to China?
5) As the 100th day of the Ukraine war approaches, what role does the G20 plan to play in supporting Ukraine? How does the prime minister plan to advocate for increased support from other G20 member countries?
