British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had made good progress on tariffs, travel and small-boat migration in a meeting on Thursday

By Andrew MacAskill BEIJING, Jan 29 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday for talks he hopes will deepen their economic relationship, signalling a breakthrough in ties after years of distrust and acrimony.

The PM says progress has been made on issues including tariffs on whisky and visa-free travel to China following his meeting with Xi Jinping.

Executives from Airbus, AstraZeneca and HSBC are joining Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a rare China visit, highlighting the business focus of the trip amid strained global trade relations.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits Beijing for a four-day visit to China aimed at repairing ties and expanding opportunities for British businesses in the world’s second-largest economy.

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on various issues, ranging from tariffs, travel rules, and migration, signalling a major recalibration in

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK wouldn’t have to choose between the US and China, as he heralded “significant opportunities” for British businesses ahead of his trip to Beijing this week.

As London dispatches Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing with a business entourage, vowing a "clear-eyed" approach to national security, the symbolism is hard to miss. Europe is hedging: away from American tech, not necessarily toward Chinese tech—but toward strategic room to maneuver if Washington under President Donald Trump turns hostile.

Starmer - who is travelling with around 60 British business and cultural leaders - is the first UK prime minister to visit China since 2018.