British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday (January 29) that he wanted to build a "sophisticated relationship" with Beijing to bolster security and the economy,

Britain and China said an extended period of turbulence in Sino-British ties was over after face-to-face talks between Xi Jinping and Keir Starmer.

The leaders of China and the U.K. are meeting as the two nations try to improve relations after years of tension.

The leaders of China and the U.K. are meeting as the two nations try to improve relations after years of tension

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “vital” to build a “more sophisticated relationship” with China as he kicked off the first visit of a British leader to China in eight years.

Starmer's trip follows weeks of tensions with Trump over his threats to seize Greenland, his criticism of Britain's deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago - including

"We are resolute about being outward-looking, about taking opportunities, about building relationships...and always being absolutely focused on our national interest." For a UK prime minister, the politics of engaging with China is tricky.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday that his country would not have to choose between relations with the U.S. and China as he started a four-day trip to China aimed at repairing ties and expanding opportunities for British companies in the world’s second-largest economy.