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 Britain and China called Thursday for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to deepen ties between their nations at a time of growing global uncertainty. Neither publicly mentioned Donald Trump,

"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.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for a deeper relationship with China during what he called “challenging times for the world.” The U.K. leader told China’s leader Xi Jinping

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that his country doesn't have to choose between relations with the United States 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.

Sir Keir Starmer told Xi Jinping that he wants a “more sophisticated” relationship with China as the two leaders met in Beijing seeking to patch up ties strained by years of spying scandals and geopolitical tensions.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that he wanted to build a "sophisticated relationship" aiming to boost growth and security, signalling a breakthrough in ties after years of acrimony.

The UK's prime minister Keir Starmer has arrived in China for a three-day visit - the first by a British prime minister in eight years. Sir Keir is seeking to strengthen trading and cultural ties between the two nations after years of acrimony.