LONDON — British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated that the United Kingdom will not be forced to choose between maintaining close ties with the United States and strengthening relations with China, signaling a nuanced diplomatic stance ahead of his high-profile visit to Beijing this week. Starmer made the remarks in an interview with Bloomberg, stressing that the UK intends to balance its historic security alliance with Washington with pragmatic engagement with Beijing’s vast economy.
Starmer, preparing for his first trip to China by a UK premier in eight years, said questions about choosing one partner over the other were misleading. “I’m often invited to simply choose between countries. I don’t do that,” he told reporters at 10 Downing Street. He argued that the UK could pursue “significant opportunities” for British businesses in China without diminishing its long-standing defence and security cooperation with the United States.
The prime minister’s visit to Beijing comes as part of a broader strategy to enhance trade, attract investment, and reset relations strained by years of geopolitical competition and disputes over issues such as human rights and trade policy. He is leading a delegation of business leaders and officials aimed at deepening economic collaboration.
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