The meeting between Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, and President of China, Xi Jinping, has yielded some “outcomes” as disclosed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
A three-day visit of the UK PM to Beijing, the Chinese Capital, led to both countries committing to building “long-term and consistent strategic partnership”.
Also, the Asian country will consider “visa-free access for UK travelers”, as well as, tariff rates on British Whisky lowered from 10% to 5%.
Scotch Whisky is a top export for the Drinks sector of Britain with over £5 billion in annual exports, and China has emerged one of its fastest growing markets in recent years.
According to the BBC:
China is currently the 10th largest market for Scotch whisky by value
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent said China was a “priority growth market” for many distilleries, adding that the country had “developed into a knowledgeable and premium-focused market with a strong appreciation of Scotch”.
The UK and China also reached agreements on “multiple cooperation documents” that cover “health, finance” and more.
Via X, the China MFA Spokesperson listed the outcomes achieved following the meetings between Leaders of China and the UK PM, Keir Starmer, in Beijing.
The outcomes are:
“1. The two sides are committed to developing a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership.
“2. The two sides agreed to establish a high-level climate and nature partnership.
“3. The two sides agreed to resume the China-UK high-level security dialogue.
“4. The two sides agreed to hold a new round of institutional dialogues within the year, including the strategic dialogue, the economic and financial dialogue, and the meeting of the China-UK Joint Economic and Trade Commission.
“5. The two sides agreed in principle to resume normal exchanges between the legislatures of the two countries. China welcomes British parliamentarians who have the willingness to visit China more and experience the real China.
“6. The two sides held the UK-China Business Council meeting and agreed to strengthen two-way trade and investment cooperation.
“7. The two sides welcome the establishment of the China-UK financial working group and its inaugural meeting. They also welcome the Bank of China’s London branch becoming the second RMB clearing bank in the UK, and will jointly hold the China-UK insurance forum.
“8. China will give positive consideration to visa-free access for UK travelers.
“9. China lowered the tariff rate on the UK’s whisky from 10 percent to 5 percent.
“10. Leaders of the two countries witnessed the signing of 12 intergovernmental cooperation documents covering areas of trade and economy, agriculture and food, culture, market regulation, and law enforcement cooperation.
“11. The two sides also agreed on multiple cooperation documents covering finance, health, media, and education.”
The UK PM’s visit to Beijing is aimed at resetting the strained relationship between the two countries. The move is a clear sign that the UK and China seek to put to an end the diplomatic brawl that has defined their tie.
The two countries are tackling economic pressures at home and are looking for new opportunities for trade and investment.
Photo: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Keir Starmer, with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in Beijing, China | X/Lin Jian
