UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in China on Wednesday to kick off a four-day visit aimed at fostering ties and expanding opportunities for British companies in the world's second-largest economy.

There are "opportunities" to deepen bilateral relations, he told reporters travelling with him on the plane to China.

"It doesn't make sense to stick our head in the ground and bury in the sand when it comes to China, it's in our interests to engage and not compromise on national security," Starmer said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing that China "is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust".

Starmer is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping on Thursday, followed by talks with Premier Li Qiang.

"The two sides are expected to have in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations and issues of common interest," Xinhua News Agency reported.

The British leader is then set to visit Shanghai on Friday.

Starmer, the first UK prime minister to visit China since Theresa May in 2018, is bringing a delegation of more than 50 British business leaders, including executives from British Airways, HSBC and Jaguar Land Rover.

He told members of the delegation that they were "making history".

"It’s in our national interest to engage with China... Of course, we will have to manage our differences.

"You're part of the change that we're bringing about... Because everything you're doing here, everything ⁠I'm doing here is focused on how do we benefit people at home."

Starmer also said the UK doesn't have to choose between relations with the United States and China.

Both Beijing and London have been buffeted by US President Donald Trump's tariffs and are seeking to diversify their overseas markets and supply chains for their industries.

Starmer insisted the UK could continue to strengthen economic ties with China – without angering Trump – because of his country's long history of working closely with the US.

"The relationship we have with the US is one of the closest relationships we hold, on defence, security, intelligence and also on trade and lots of areas," he said. (Agencies)