Airbus, AstraZeneca and HSBC executives join UK’s Starmer on high-stakes China trip
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on January 27, 2026 in London, England.
Jack Taylor | Getty Images News | Getty Images
BEIJING — About 60 British business leaders and cultural organizations will join British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trip to China this week. This is the first state visit in eight years..
It was reported that Starmer will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang on Thursday to discuss trade, investment and national security. Official statement from England List of business representatives accompanying the British leader.
The group includes financial sector leaders. HSBC Group Chairman Brendan Nelson and Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor.
aircraft giant AirbusBritish Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Colm Lacy will also attend, along with general counsel John Harrison.
Pharmaceutical executives accompanying Starmer include: AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot and GSK President Sir Jonathan Symonds.
The visit comes as Beijing hosts a number of foreign leaders this month amid rising tensions with U.S. trading partners and disputes over Greenland.
Earlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing. On the first Monday of 2026, Xi met with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin. First visit by an Irish leader in 14 years – And hosted Later in the day, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Xi also met with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday.
