Starmer is the latest Western leader to engage in a flurry of diplomacy with China, as nations hedge against unpredictability from the United States under President Donald Trump. “I made the promise 18 months ago, when we were elected into government, that I would make Britain face outwards again,” Starmer told Xi. In a sign of how the countries can work together, Downing Street said Starmer and Xi would announce that Britain and China would jointly tackle gangs involved in trafficking illegal migrants. But the presence of more than 50 business leaders accompanying Starmer and his itinerary shows the priority for this trip is economic ties. It was time for a “mature” relationship with China, Starmer told a business delegation hours after arriving on Wednesday.