IN BEIJING: The U.K. and Chinese leaders called Thursday for a “long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership” between their two countries. The two countries committed a decade ago to building a comprehensive strategic partnership but progress has been halting at best. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left and Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a signing ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. They upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement places Vietnam on the same diplomatic footing with the EU as the United States, China and Russia.