UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a British prime minister to China since 2018.

Axar.az, citing BBC, reports that the visit comes as part of the government’s effort to reset relations with Beijing after years of fluctuating policy.

Around 60 British business and cultural leaders are accompanying Starmer, including representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover and the National Theatre, highlighting the economic focus of the trip.

Downing Street said Starmer will raise “challenging issues” where UK values and interests differ, including human rights concerns. China has faced international criticism over its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy media figure Jimmy Lai.

Despite concerns over human rights and Chinese espionage activities in the UK, Starmer said engagement with Beijing remains in Britain’s national interest, stressing that “China matters” as a major global economic power.