General · 30 January 2026
Starmer secures China visa waiver and whisky deal.
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Beijing visit marked a diplomatic reset, securing agreements for 30-day visa-free travel for Britons and reduced tariffs on Scotch whisky. The meeting with President Xi Jinping produced significant commercial outcomes, including a $15 billion investment plan from AstraZeneca and an Octopus Energy partnership. While stopping short of a free trade deal, the leaders committed to cooperation in healthcare and green technology, aiming to boost economic growth despite criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs