Keir Starmer discusses human rights concerns with Xi Jinping at G20

At the G20 summit in Rio, Keir Starmer expressed his worries to Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the sanctions imposed on British lawmakers and the declining health of British citizen and Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai.

The UK prime minister assured a robust partnership with China and stated that both nations agreed to prevent any unexpected developments in their relationship. He expressed his eagerness to hold a comprehensive meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Li Qiang, in either Beijing or London at the earliest opportunity.

Chinese officials swiftly escorted British journalists out of the conference after Starmer brought up the situation of Lai, who is currently imprisoned in Hong Kong.

During their first meeting in six years, the Chinese president and the British prime minister discussed various topics, with Starmer bringing up human rights concerns. He also mentioned sanctions imposed on several Conservative MPs, including former security minister Tom Tugendhat, Commons deputy speaker Nus Ghani, and ex-Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Starmer mentioned that both parties recognized their desire for a relationship that is steady, lasting, and respectful, and they agreed to minimize unexpected developments whenever they can.

He emphasized at the start of the meeting that a robust relationship between the UK and China is vital not only for both nations but also for the wider global community. He stated that the UK will remain a reliable and steady nation, dedicated to upholding the rule of law.

He suggested holding a complete bilateral meeting with Premier Li, either in Beijing or London. Additionally, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled to meet with her counterpart, He Lifeng, in what is anticipated to be a meeting in Beijing in January.

"I really want my chancellor to connect with Vice-Premier He during the economic financial discussions planned for early next year. It's important to look into additional investment opportunities and ensure a fairer environment for our businesses," Starmer expressed.

I’m really happy that my foreign secretary and Foreign Minister Wang recently got together to talk about important issues like human rights, parliamentary sanctions, Taiwan, the South China Sea, and our common interests in Hong Kong. We're worried about the news regarding Jimmy Lai's worsening situation.

In a noticeable shift from earlier years, Xi praised Starmer for "repairing the groundwork" of the UK's economy, mirroring the prime minister's own catchphrase. He mentioned that they would "forge new paths" in their partnership.

During the meeting, Xi remarked, "We are in a period of uncertainty and change. The new UK government is focused on strengthening the economy and revitalizing the nation, aiming to reconnect Britain with the world. At the same time, China is intensifying its reforms across various sectors to promote modernization."

Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns, who previously chaired the foreign affairs committee and are well-known Tory opponents of China, urged Starmer to take the opportunity during the meeting to discuss the situation of UK citizens like Lai, a pro-democracy media owner who has been arrested and put on trial in Hong Kong.

Since Theresa May traveled to Beijing in 2018 to discuss trade amidst Brexit talks, no British prime minister has had a face-to-face meeting with Xi. Although Boris Johnson did have a conversation with the Chinese president during the pandemic, there hasn’t been an in-person meeting since.

Since that time, the relationship has seriously deteriorated due to cyber threats, a crackdown on human rights in Hong Kong, and the sanctions imposed on members of Parliament.

At the 2022 G20 summit, Rishi Sunak tried to strengthen ties but had to cancel a planned one-on-one meeting due to the situation in Ukraine. Conservative leaders in the UK have considered labeling China as a security threat, using more assertive language than what the United States has employed.

Last month, Foreign Secretary David Lammy traveled to China, marking the Labour government's first indication that improving relations with the country is a key focus for their diplomacy. Reeves, who is expected to play a significant part in exploring new economic prospects with China, will be heading to Beijing in January.

Starmer and Reeves have been working to improve ties with China, the second-largest economy in the world, mainly for practical reasons. They argue that the UK won't be able to reach its growth goals without establishing more favorable agreements with China.