Politics Weekly UK What happened when Starmer met Xi Jinping?
7 snips
Jan 29, 2026 A behind-the-scenes look at Keir Starmer’s trip to China and why the visit matters for UK-China relations. Conversations about warming diplomatic tone, small economic wins like tariff moves, and hints of visa changes. Discussion of candid human rights mentions, information gaps in official readouts, plus lighter moments such as football gifts and Beijing social scenes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Rebuilding High-Level Contact Matters
- Keir Starmer framed the trip as the start of a steadier, pragmatic UK-China relationship after eight years without a visiting prime minister.
- Pippa Crerar says rebuilding high-level contact makes later economic and political cooperation easier.
Football Diplomacy Moment
- Keir Starmer gifted Xi Jinping a Manchester United vs Arsenal match ball and mentioned Arsenal's result.
- Pippa Crerar recounts George Parker's delight that Xi even referenced Crystal Palace during the visit.
Quiet Diplomacy Fits China's System
- Starmer favours a low-key, relationship-driven diplomacy approach likened to Jonathan Powell's style.
- Pippa Crerar argues this quiet, programmatic method suits how China implements decisions from the top down.