Keir Starmer set for historic meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at G20 summit

Keir Starmer volition go the archetypal PM since Theresa May to clasp face-to-face talks with the Chinese Premier arsenic helium arrives astatine the G20 acme being held successful Brazil

Keir Starmer volition go the archetypal PM since Theresa May to clasp face-to-face talks with the Chinese Premier.

He volition conscionable Xi Jinping astatine the G20 acme arsenic world leaders descend connected Rio de Janeiro successful Brazil connected Tuesday. Mr Starmer told reporters that helium volition beryllium having a "serious" treatment with Xi - but refused to accidental what they would speech about.

It comes astatine a clip of heightened tensions betwixt the UK and Beijing, with nary gathering held betwixt leaders since 2018. Labour has antecedently suggested the Chinese authorities is committing genocide of Uyghur Muslims.

Mr Starmer said: "We are some planetary players, planetary powers, some imperishable members of the information assembly and of the G20. China’s system is evidently the 2nd biggest successful the world. It’s 1 of our biggest trading partners and truthful I volition beryllium having serious, pragmatic discussions with the president erstwhile I conscionable him."

The acme comes amid increasing unease astir Donald Trump's impending instrumentality to the White House. Mr Trump and his allies person indicated they could retreat from cardinal biology agreements and retreat enactment from Ukraine.

There is besides nervousness that the Trump medication could unfastened up commercialized wars by bringing successful restrictive tariffs.

Mr Starmer said helium intends to marque definite the UK's narration with the US is "as beardown going guardant arsenic it's ever been". The President-elect has said helium wants to retreat from the landmark Paris Agreement connected clime change.

And Argentine President Javier Milei, a cardinal state of Mr Trump, has besides signalled helium volition propulsion out. Asked if this is simply a decease knell successful the combat against clime change, Mr Starmer said: “No, I don't deliberation so.

"Amongst the reasons I went to (the Cop29 summit) past week was due to the fact that I deliberation it's important for the UK to amusement enactment connected an important issue.

And successful a veiled swipe astatine the 2 leaders helium said tackling clime alteration is an "obligation, which is connected each of america to play our part".

He told reporters helium volition not regularisation retired giving Mr Trump a authorities sojourn erstwhile helium takes office. The PM said: "Obviously, I've had a constructive gathering with President elite Trump a fewer weeks ago, constructive treatment with him connected the telephone the different day.

"But I'm not going to get up of things." The G20 volition bring unneurotic the 19 countries with the largest economies successful the world.