In the midst of my drowsiness while flying over the Gobi desert, a familiar voice echoed through the tannoy, catching me off guard. “This is the Prime Minister,” he announced humorously, hinting at taking control of the plane for the remainder of the journey.
Although Keir Starmer wasn’t actually piloting the aircraft, he will need to be sharp to ensure a successful outcome during his crucial visit to China. The PM appeared upbeat as he engaged with journalists squeezed near an emergency exit for the customary in-flight discussion.
Observers from the business and cultural sectors watched curiously as we vied for a chance to hear his responses amid the loud engine noise, with one senior journalist even squeezed by the plane’s lavatory entrance.
Mr. Starmer skillfully deflected most inquiries regarding the agenda for his upcoming meeting with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on Thursday. This trip marks the first by a British PM to China since Theresa May’s visit in 2018, signifying a pivotal moment in the Government’s efforts to mend strained relations from past Conservative administrations.
Having previously encountered President Xi at a summit in 2024 and visited China during his legal career, Mr. Starmer now faces a delicate balancing act as Prime Minister on this journey.
His cautious remarks during the in-flight briefing reminded me of a similarly high-stakes excursion last year when I accompanied him to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Unlike that tense visit, Mr. Starmer now enjoys a more established rapport with the US President, making this current trip to China even more significant.
The primary objective of Mr. Starmer’s visit is to strengthen economic connections with the world’s second-largest economy, especially amidst the global uncertainties caused by Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and cultural figures advocating for Britain’s creative industries, Mr. Starmer emphasized his intention to address pertinent issues during the visit, with a multitude of contentious topics available for discussion.
From human rights violations to anti-democratic actions, national security concerns, and allegations of Chinese espionage, Mr. Starmer has a range of pressing matters to potentially raise with President Xi. The situation in Ukraine, including China’s ties to Russia and allegations of support to Vladimir Putin, is also on the table for discussion.
Interestingly, Mr. Starmer mentioned having a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day, hinting at potentially significant outcomes when the two leaders meet, with potential far-reaching implications.
