The tannoy came alive with a familiar voice, jolting my sleep-deprived mind during our flight over the Gobi desert. “This is the Prime Minister,” he announced, playfully adding, “Sit back, enjoy the rest of the flight, I’ll be bringing the plane in from here.”
Although Keir Starmer wasn’t actually piloting the aircraft, he’ll need sharp thinking to ensure a smooth landing on his crucial journey to China. The PM appeared in good spirits as he engaged with journalists squeezed near an emergency exit for the customary in-flight discussion.
Amidst curious business and cultural figures observing, we clamored to catch his responses to our inquiries above the noise of the engines, with one seasoned reporter even wedged near the plane’s lavatory entrance.
Mr. Starmer deflected most queries regarding the agenda for his upcoming meeting with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on Thursday. This visit, the first by a British PM since Theresa May’s 2018 trip, signals a significant moment in the Government’s efforts to improve frosty relations from prior Conservative administrations.
Having previously encountered President Xi at a 2024 summit and having visited China during his legal career, Mr. Starmer faces a delicate balancing act as PM during this visit.
His cautious remarks during the in-flight discussion brought to mind a similarly high-stakes journey last year when I accompanied him to Washington to meet Donald Trump in the Oval Office. That visit, even more nerve-wracking, occurred before Mr. Starmer had established the rapport he now enjoys with the US President, with aides visibly concerned about potential outcomes.
The current trip to China holds immense importance. Mr. Starmer aims to enhance economic connections with the world’s second-largest economy, particularly amid global disruptions caused by Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and cultural influencers advocating for Britain’s creative sectors, Mr. Starmer emphasized his intent to address pertinent issues during the visit, with numerous contentious topics to choose from.
Human rights violations, anti-democratic measures, national security concerns, and allegations of Chinese espionage are among the potential subjects he could broach with President Xi. Moreover, the ongoing situation in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity, given China’s ties with Russia and accusations from Kyiv concerning intelligence sharing and support for Vladimir Putin.
Significantly, Mr. Starmer disclosed a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day. The upcoming meeting between the two leaders promises intrigue and could have far-reaching implications.