By Uyghur Times Staff
Nov. 16, 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of a “strong UK-China relationship” during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Brazil, avoiding any mention of the Uyghur genocide or human rights concerns.
According to the BBC, this marked the first in-person meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president since 2018, following years of strained relations. During the meeting, Starmer declared: “The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.”
Ahead of the summit, Starmer underscored the importance of international engagement, stating: “It is in the UK’s best interests to engage on the global stage—whether that’s building strong and fruitful partnerships with our closest allies or being frank with those whose values differ from our own. Close cooperation with the world’s leading economies is vital to secure investment into the UK and create the jobs needed to catalyze growth.”
President Xi Jinping said: “China and the UK have broad space for cooperation across various domains, including trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare, and improving our peoples’ well-being.”
The meeting comes amid controversy surrounding the Labour Party’s recent decision to backtrack on recognizing the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide, a move criticized by human rights advocates.
