BEIJING: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to China this week is the latest in a growing procession of Western leaders heading to Beijing - a diplomatic rhythm that has quickened as the United States under President Donald Trump rattles the world order. For many of these capitals, the visits marked their first leader-level trips to China in close to a decade or more, mirroring how Starmer's visit is the first in eight years by a British PM. Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday. Meanwhile, Starmer described his visit as aimed at forging a “more sophisticated relationship” with China - balancing commercial opportunities with clear-eyed security guardrails. The British PM is accompanied by more than 50 business leaders on the four-day trip that ends Saturday.