The announcement came after Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital, making him the first UK prime minister to visit China in eight years. Around 620,000 British citizens visited China in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. Sir Keir said relaxed visa rules would support British firms seeking to expand in one of the world’s largest markets, while also making it easier for tourists to visit China. The UK is the world’s second-largest exporter of services, including finance, legal and healthcare services, and No 10 said demand from China was increasing. A future agreement could include mutual recognition of professional qualifications, helping British firms access Chinese markets more easily.