Executives from Airbus, AstraZeneca and HSBC are joining Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a rare China visit, highlighting the business focus of the trip amid strained global trade relations.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading to China, aiming to improve relations with Beijing amid tensions with the United States.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK wouldn’t have to choose between the US and China, as he heralded “significant opportunities” for British businesses ahead of his trip to Beijing this week.

Keir Starmer this week leads a delegation of British businesses to China as he tries to rebuild relations with Beijing.

Senior US officials have criticised Sir Keir Starmer for failing to take a tougher approach on China because he has not publicly denounced Beijing’s cyber espionage campaigns.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to revive the 'golden era' of business relations between the UK and China during his upcoming visit to Beijing. The initiative seeks to rejuvenate a business dialogue and involves top executives from both sides participating in a renewed 'UK-China CEO Council'.

By Kate Holton, Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - British finance minister Rachel Reeves will accompany Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his trip to China next week, underscoring UK efforts to strengthen ties with the world's second-largest economy at a time of strained transatlantic relations.