BEIJING: Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, seeking closer trade ties while balancing sensitive issues of national security and human rights. Starmer held talks with Xi at the opulent Great Hall of the People, and the two leaders will later have lunch. Starmer called the visit "historic" and said it was a chance to "find positive ways to work together". Downing Street has lauded the China visit as an opportunity to strengthen trade and investment ties while discussing thorny topics including human rights. Human rights abuses, alleged spying and cyber attacks, and China's perceived support for Russia's war in Ukraine have also strained ties.