UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Thursday that British citizens will be able to travel to China without a visa for trips under 30 days, marking a significant step to strengthen bilateral ties and business opportunities.

Starmer made the announcement during his official visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The talks, which lasted one hour and 20 minutes, resulted in a series of agreements aimed at expanding trade, investment, and cooperation between the two countries.

Under the new arrangement, UK citizens visiting China for tourism or business for less than a month will no longer require a visa, bringing Britain in line with countries such as France, Germany, Australia, and Japan. Meanwhile, UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca pledged to invest $15 billion (£10.9 billion) in China by 2030, including expanding manufacturing sites and creating new jobs.

Starmer described the visit as a “springboard” for future engagement, stressing that economic growth at home is linked to stronger international ties. He highlighted the importance of broader engagement with China to build a “sophisticated relationship” and pursue shared goals while recognising differences.

The agreements also include cooperation in areas such as trade in services, technical education, food safety, and health, though some deals remain largely symbolic with limited immediate economic impact. Opposition politicians criticised the visit, urging Starmer to press China on human rights issues, including the case of jailed pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai.

China, meanwhile, presented the visit as prestigious for domestic audiences, with state media extensively covering Starmer’s meetings with Xi and highlighting the strategic importance of UK-China relations.

With inputs from BBC