British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit China from Wednesday to Saturday.

The Foreign Ministry said he will pay an official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.

Starmer is set to meet President Xi Jinping and other top leaders during the four-day trip, the first by a UK prime minister since 2018.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular media briefing on Tuesday that Beijing is ready to enhance mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation with London.

Starmer is expected to be accompanied by UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle and dozens of corporate chiefs as Britain seeks Chinese technology and investment, alongside greater access to the world’s second-largest economy.

The visit comes just days after a trip to China by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during which the two countries reached a preliminary trade deal. (Agencies)