British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that London and Tokyo have agreed to strengthen defense and economic ties during his visit to Japan, following a stop in China which he considered a first step to revitalizing relations with Beijing, while U.S. President Donald Trump described it as “very dangerous.”
Standing alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanai Takayashi after a bilateral meeting in Tokyo, Starmer said, “We have set a clear priority to build a deeper partnership in the coming years,” adding that “this includes working together to enhance our collective security, across the Euro-Atlantic region and in the Indo-Pacific region.”
For her part, the Japanese Prime Minister said she agreed with Starmer to hold a Japan-UK meeting at the foreign and defense minister level this year. She noted that she aims to discuss cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, during a dinner with Starmer on Saturday evening.
The First Visit to China in Eight Years
This comes on the heels of the first visit to China by a British government leader in eight years, which sparked significant interest in the United Kingdom where some fear getting too close to China could negatively impact national security.
Since arriving in China last Wednesday, Starmer has been defending his strategy amid growing trade disputes and at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is turning his back on traditional allies.
<a>- Starmer assures Chinese President of London’s keenness to develop relations with Beijing
<a>- Trump: UK cooperation with China is “very dangerous”
Starmer left China with pledges for around ten cooperative agreements (in the fields of health, services, and irregular migration), in addition to a reduction in tariffs on whiskey exports.
Visa Exemption for British Visitors to Beijing
The United Kingdom announced Beijing’s intention to exempt British citizens visiting China for less than 30 days from entry visa requirements, “after completing the necessary procedures,” as clarified by a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry.
British companies secured export contracts worth £2.2 billion ($3 billion) to access the Chinese market over the next five years, along with pledges for investments worth “hundreds of millions” of pounds, according to a UK government statement.
The “Pop Mart” chain, which sells the famous cotton “Labubu” dolls, plans to open a “regional center” in the UK to cover the 27 stores it intends to launch in Europe in 2026, including seven in Britain.
“AstraZeneca” Invests $15 Billion
The British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca also announced its intention to invest $15 billion in China by 2030. Separately, the energy company “Octopus Energy” revealed its plan to establish a joint venture with a Chinese partner to enter the Chinese market.
Starmer’s fundamental goal from that visit was to seek engines to support the British economy, which is exhausted by the consequences of Brexit and escalating trade disputes worldwide.
After years of strained relations under his Conservative predecessors and amid China’s tightening of its policy in Hong Kong and mutual accusations of espionage between the two countries, Starmer has been seeking to revitalize relations with Beijing, London’s third-largest trading partner, since taking office in 2024.
London
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, founded as a Roman settlement called Londinium nearly 2,000 years ago. It has since grown into a major global city, historically serving as the centre of the British Empire and now as a leading hub for finance, culture, and politics.
Tokyo
Tokyo, originally a small fishing village called Edo, became Japan’s political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there. It was renamed Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) in 1868 when the emperor moved his residence from Kyoto, solidifying its status as the nation’s capital and primary hub of culture, economy, and government.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a rich cultural history spanning millennia, from its ancient Shinto traditions and imperial rule to the feudal era of samurai and the modernizing Meiji Restoration. Today, it is known for blending deep historical heritage, such as its numerous temples and castles, with cutting-edge technology and global pop culture.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over three millennia as a major political and cultural center. It served as the seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a vast modern metropolis that remains the political heart of the People’s Republic of China.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a sovereign nation comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a history of formation through successive political unions, most notably the Acts of Union in 1707 and 1800. It emerged as a major global power during the British Empire and is a constitutional monarchy with a rich cultural heritage spanning literature, science, and democratic institutions.
Euro-Atlantic region
The Euro-Atlantic region is a geopolitical concept centered on the community of nations connected by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and shared democratic values, encompassing North America and Europe. Its modern institutional history is fundamentally tied to the Cold War, with NATO’s establishment in 1949 serving as a collective defense pact against the Soviet Union. Following the Cold War, the region’s focus expanded to include cooperative security, crisis management, and the integration of new member states from Central and Eastern Europe.
Indo-Pacific region
The Indo-Pacific region is a vast geopolitical and economic area spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans, historically shaped by ancient trade routes like the Spice Route and colonial expansion. In contemporary terms, it has become a central focus of international strategy and cooperation, driven by the economic rise of nations such as China and India and their growing maritime influence.
Middle East
The Middle East is a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, historically home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations and major world religions. Its history is deeply marked by the rise and fall of ancient empires, the spread of Islam, and its central role in global trade and energy resources. In the modern era, the region’s political landscape has been significantly shaped by the aftermath of World War I, the discovery of oil, and the establishment of the state of Israel.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus, which emerged in the 9th century. It has experienced periods of independence as well as foreign rule, most notably as part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, before regaining its sovereignty in 1991.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, originally a British colony from 1842 until its handover back to China in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” principle. It is a major global financial hub and port, known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, vibrant cityscape, and deep natural harbor.
Pop Mart
Pop Mart is a Chinese retail company founded in 2010, best known for popularizing collectible designer toys and blind boxes. Its cultural significance stems from creating a global phenomenon around brands like Molly, blending art, consumer culture, and a sense of community among collectors.
Labubu
Labubu is a popular character from the Hong Kong-based toy brand “Molly” by designer Kenny Wong, first introduced in 2015. It is a mischievous, horned creature from the “The Monsters” series, representing a playful part of contemporary urban vinyl art culture rather than a historical site.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, formed in 1999 through the merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group. Its history traces back to earlier entities in both countries, with Zeneca itself having been spun off from the chemical giant Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in 1993. The company is globally recognized for its work in drug discovery and development, including its widely distributed COVID-19 vaccine developed in partnership with the University of Oxford.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is a UK-based renewable energy supplier founded in 2015, known for its use of advanced technology and customer service platform. The company has grown rapidly by focusing on green energy tariffs and investing in renewable generation assets like solar and wind farms.
