Keir Starmer opens door to UK visit by Xi Jinping after bilateral talks

PM says trip to China has put relationship in stronger place, but possible return visit angers British critics

Keir Starmer has taken a big step towards rapprochement with China, opening the door to a UK visit from Xi Jinping in a move that drew immediate anger from British critics of Beijing.

During the first visit by a UK prime minister to China in eight years - a period which Starmer has described as an ice age" - he said talks with the Chinese president had left the bilateral relationship in a stronger position.