UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil next week, marking the first in-person meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president since 2018. The meeting, which follows a phone call between the two leaders in August, will focus on fostering “stable and pragmatic engagement” between the UK and China, particularly on areas like international stability, climate change, and economic growth.
Downing Street confirmed that while Sir Keir would engage with China on these mutual interests, he would also address areas of disagreement, including China’s military support for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The government emphasized that the UK’s engagement with China would be guided by its national interests, particularly when it comes to security concerns and human rights issues.
Speaking to reporters en route to Rio de Janeiro for the summit, Starmer stated that securing greater international support for Ukraine would be at the top of his agenda. He also urged fellow G20 nations to increase their backing for Ukraine, warning that failure to do so could have “unfathomable consequences” if Russia were allowed to win the war.
The summit comes after Russia launched large-scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, intensifying the conflict as it nears its 1,000th day. It also coincides with reports that the US has authorized the use of long-range missiles to target Russian positions, which could significantly impact the ongoing war.
The meeting with President Xi will also allow Starmer to address the wider global context, including the US-China tensions, which are expected to escalate under a potential second term for President Donald Trump. Trump has advocated for a more confrontational stance towards China, including imposing high tariffs on Chinese goods, a move that could spark a global trade war.
The summit, which brings together 19 of the world’s largest economies as well as the African Union and the European Union, will be a platform for world leaders to discuss issues such as global economic growth, security, and climate action.