China Signals More Access for UK Firms After Xi-Starmer Meeting

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping agreed in Beijing to build a more stable relationship. Photographer: Carl Court/Getty Images Photo by Carl Court /Photographer: Carl Court/Getty I

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(Bloomberg) — The UK promised greater access to Chinese markets for Britain’s services sector, including visa-free travel, after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping agreed in Beijing to build a more stable relationship.

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China will relax rules for British tourists and business travelers, allowing them to enter the country visa-free for stays of fewer than 30 days, the UK government said on Thursday. The move will bring the country into line with others, such as Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, as well as Canada after a similar deal struck by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this month. 

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Britain and China also plan to conduct a feasibility study into whether to pursue a bilateral services deal. In the meantime, the two sides have agreed to a “services partnership” that would allow Britain’s health-care, financial and professional, legal and education sectors “clearer rules, better market access and support to grow their sales in China,” the UK government said.

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The visit by Starmer is the first such trip by a British prime minister in eight years, and is intended to rebuild relations frayed by disputes over everything from Hong Kong to spying. The moves on visas and services represent concrete returns for the British premier, who faced domestic criticism for bolstering ties with the West’s biggest strategic rival. 

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Earlier on Thursday, Xi told Starmer that China was seeking a “long-term, stable” partnership with Britain. “I appreciate your public statement that China presents an opportunity and engagement with China is essential,” Xi said in his opening remarks. 

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Starmer for his own part called for building “more sophisticated” relationship with China, in an apparent reference to their need to straddle competing global camps. While the prime minister had pledged to repair ties with Beijing before it was clear that Donald Trump would win a second term as US president, events have made such as reset more pressing for Britain. 

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“The more we are in a changing world, the more valuable such stability is,” Starmer later told Xi’s premier, Li Qiang. He said he wanted “to find ways to work together in a manner which is fit for these times.”

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Symbolizing Starmer’s efforts to bolster ties, the British leader prepared a gift: the match ball from a recent Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United. The prime minister is a well-known supporter of the London club — which lost the match — while Xi is said to be a fan of its northern rival.

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With its huge financial, legal and consultancy sectors, the UK is the second-largest exporter of services in the world after the US. Official data suggest UK services exports totaled over £500 billion ($690 billion) in the 12 months ending June 2025, with China the eighth largest destination at around £13 billion. The US, Germany and Ireland were the most important markets for UK services firms.

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The UK leader’s delegation is heavy on British banking executives — from HSBC Holdings Plc, Barclays Plc and Standard Chartered Plc — and cultural emissaries representing the arts and sports. A range of manufacturers are also making the trip, including Airbus SE, Brompton Bikes, Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren Automotive Ltd.