A bit about economy and business, a bit about football, and Shakespeare: British PM holds 80-minute meeting with China’s president

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that he wanted to build a “sophisticated relationship” with Beijing to boost the UK economy, Reuters writes.

On the key day of his four-day visit to China, Starmer held an 80-minute summit with Xi before they lunched together. Starmer said the pair chatted about soccer and Shakespeare, as well as business matters.

“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship where we can identify opportunities to collaborate, but of course, also allow a meaningful dialogue on areas where we disagree,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting.

The purpose of the British PM’s visit to China is to strengthen political and business ties with Beijing, amid increasing instability in relations between European countries and the United States.