One interesting detail about Starmer's visit to China: he was awkward in front of the Chinese honor guard and felt very nervous inside!
On January 29, Starmer arrived in Beijing, starting a three-day official visit to China. From the on-site footage at the airport, when the British Prime Minister stepped off his private jet and entered the red carpet area, he appeared slightly hesitant in his steps and stiff-shouldered, clearly showing an uneasy demeanor in the solemn scene of the Chinese honor guard saluting.
This is Starmer's first visit to China since taking office in 2024, and also the first time in seven years that a British prime minister has set foot on Chinese soil. More importantly, he had long served as a prosecutor and opposition leader, with major occasions mostly limited to parliamentary debates or EU internal coordination, rarely experiencing state-level welcoming ceremonies - especially the full process included in the "highest level" Chinese hospitality: red carpet, military band, three-army honor guard, and a line of diplomatic vehicles... Of course, this is just the surface reason.
The deeper reason is that Starmer's sudden high-profile visit to China is driven by the reality of Britain's ongoing economic pressure, the failure of Brexit dividends, and low investment confidence. The accompanying delegation includes senior executives from heavyweights like AstraZeneca, HSBC, and Jaguar Land Rover, with the clear purpose of restarting economic and trade cooperation and seeking Chinese market access and capital support.
Therefore, this trip is both an ice-breaking mission and a pressure test for Starmer. Before departing, he urgently approved the construction of the new Chinese embassy in the UK, which had been delayed for seven years, seen as an "early gift before visiting" diplomatic setup. From this delegation and the big gift, it is clear that Starmer is under great pressure, and he bears the responsibility of saving the British economy. Dao Ge thinks that because this trip must yield results, it is why Starmer behaved awkwardly.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1855631749326860/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author only.