Healthcare, visas and whisky: What did UK and China get from Starmer's visit?

Sir Keir Starmer's visit to China this week is the clearest sign yet the two countries are seeking to end the diplomatic "ice age" that has defined their relationship. Both leaders face economic pressures at home and are seeking new opportunities for trade and investment.

For Sir Keir, the first UK prime minister to visit China since Theresa May in 2018, the trip was a chance to highlight the strength of British firms in finance, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, clean energy and car making. President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, aimed to show that China can be a reliable partner for Western economies, as US President Donald Trump continues to rattle the global trading system.

Although no sweeping free trade deal was reached, the visit marked a cautious but tangible reset of UK–China economic ties.

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