SHANGHAI: China has agreed to remove travel restrictions on six British lawmakers following high-level talks between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking a fresh step toward easing strained relations between United Kingdom and China.
The announcement was made during Starmer’s official visit to Beijing, his first trip to China since taking office, aimed at rebuilding diplomatic engagement while addressing sensitive issues including human rights and security concerns.
Speaking to reporters, Starmer said he raised the matter of sanctioned parliamentarians directly with President Xi, who confirmed that the restrictions introduced in 2021 would be lifted, allowing the affected lawmakers to travel freely to China.
The sanctions were originally imposed on British MPs and peers who had publicly criticised Beijing over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China has consistently rejected those accusations.
Downing Street said the UK would not remove its own sanctions on Chinese officials as part of the move. British officials described the development as a result of direct diplomatic engagement rather than a negotiated exchange.
Some of the previously sanctioned lawmakers welcomed the easing of restrictions but said they did not want their status used as leverage in broader political negotiations. They also stressed that any improvement in ties should not come at the expense of accountability on human rights issues.
China’s foreign ministry later confirmed that both countries had agreed to resume parliamentary exchanges and said Beijing welcomed British legislators willing to visit and engage.
Starmer’s China visit forms part of a wider effort to stabilise relations and expand trade and investment links, though the outreach has drawn criticism from opposition figures at home and warnings from international partners about closer economic cooperation with Beijing.
