British citizens will now be able to travel to China without needing to get a visa, the government has confirmed.

Sir Keir Starmer discussed proposals to introduce this with his counterpart Xi Jinping earlier today, as part of his five-day visit to Asia. 

A little earlier today, the Chinese government said it would "actively" consider this - but it's now been confirmed.

It means Britons will be able to travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days.

This will bring the UK into line with almost 50 other countries, such as France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Starmer: 'UK businesses have been crying out for better access to China'

The change will apply to those visiting for tourism, and for business.

The two countries have also agreed to conduct a "feasibility study" into whether to enter negotiations towards a bilateral service agreement, which would establish clear and legally binding rules for UK firms trading in China.

Starmer said: "As one of the world's economic powerhouses, businesses have been crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China.

"We'll make it easier for them to do so – including via relaxed visa rules for short-term travel – supporting them to expand abroad, all while boosting growth and jobs at home."

China is the world's second-largest economy and the UK's third-biggest trading partner.

The UK and China have also signed a new partnership, which will improve market access to China, and grow private-public partnerships in the healthcare, education and skills sectors, as well as in professional, financial and legal services.

Sir Keir Starmer has been given a ceremonial welcome at Beijing's Great Hall of The People, as his visit to China continues. 

This morning (around 2am UK time), the PM had his all-important meeting with Xi Jinping, the country's president - where they discussed a whole range of issues.

Starmer then toured the Forbidden City, once home to China's emperors.

Now, he's been welcomed by a military band who played God Save The King and China's national anthem, March of The Volunteers. 

Starmer also met with China's second-most influential politician, Premier Li Qian.

The pair began by inspecting an honour guard made of up around 140 members of the Chinese army, navy and air force.

At the beginning of the meeting, Li announced that the British and Chinese people both want "open cooperation" between their countries.

He also praised the PM's effort to improve relations between the UK and China, saying this has been "widely welcomed".

Li said it shows "open cooperation and mutual benefit is what the people want".

He added: "It also serves the shared interest of us both.

"The more we are in a changing world, the more valuable such stability is".

Meanwhile, the PM insisted that he wanted to "find ways to work together in a manner which is fit for these times".

He explained: "This means being more open and frank, to deal directly with difficulties, and it also means recognising and respecting modern China in all its vastness and complexity, for everything it has achieved and as a power whose fortunes directly affect the United Kingdom."

Next up on the PM's agenda is the UK-China Business Council.

Starmer is speaking to the almost 60 business representatives which he flew over with, along with Chinese company owners and CEOs.

The five-day trip is all about drumming up more trade between the two countries in a bid to boost economic growth. 

Downing Street is hopeful it will be able to announce more deals in the coming days. 

Sir Keir Starmer had a substantive conversation about the issue of human rights abuses during his meeting with Xi Jinping, Paste BN understands.

The PM already told journalists that he "raised" the issue of imprisoned British citizen and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.

But it's now understood that this wasn't a fleeting moment, but a substantive discussion, which the Chinese leadership engaged with proportionately.

It's also thought the reason the meeting ran over - ending up being almost double the intended length - was because a number of issues were raised and explored in detail.

It's also understood that the two men discussed the war in Ukraine, and that both agreed the conflict needs to end. 

China has been a tacit supporter of Russian actions in Ukraine, helping with supplies and funding, such as by buying Russian oil.

But it's believed that both men stressed their desire for the war to conclude.

Visa-free travel

Starmer also had an extensive conversation with Xi about introducing visa-free travel to China, it is understood. 

During the meeting, the PM spoke to his Chinese counterpart about allowing Britons to travel without the need for a visa, as nationals from almost 50 countries can already do, including the French, Germans, Italians and Spanish.

The issue was also raised directly by the Chinese side too, and good progress was made, it's believed.

The prime minister will maintain a "frank and open dialogue on areas of disagreement" with his Chinese counterpart, Number 10 has said. 

It follows Sir Keir Starmer telling journalists a little earlier that he "raised" issues around British citizen and imprisoned pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai with Xi Jinping.

Now, the read-out of the PM's meeting with the Chinese president has been released.

It adds that Starmer thanked Xi for a "warm welcome to China" and both "affirmed their shared commitment to build a consistent, long-term and strategic partnership".

The statement continues: "They agreed they would continue to enhance co-operation on areas of mutual interest, while maintaining frank and open dialogue on areas of disagreement. 

"The prime minister raised areas of concern to the United Kingdom."

Those areas of concern will include Lai, but also China's tacit support for Russia's war against Ukraine, and human rights abuses against the Uygher ethnic group in the Xinjiang region of China.

The read-out concludes: "The prime minister added that he hoped new partnerships could be forged, and new opportunities unlocked for them [British businesses] in China.

"Growth and prosperity at home is directly linked to our engagement with the world's biggest powers abroad, the prime minister added."

There's a knack to political gift-giving. 

Often, it's a symbolically important present, or an historic artifact. Other times, it's something flashy.

Think the silver necklace that US President Donald Trump gave to Sir Keir Starmer during his second state visit last year. 

That, along with personalised golf clubs and cowboy boots.

But when the prime minister met Xi Jinping today - it was all about football.

Starmer is famously an Arsenal fan, while the Chinese president is reportedly mad for Manchester United.

So, what better gift was there for the PM to give Xi, than a football used during last weekend's Premier League fixture between the two teams. 

Perhaps Starmer was especially willing to give it away, given his side lost 3-2.

Sir Keir Starmer's comments make it clear he is in China to "drum up trade", our political editor Beth Rigby says.

She points out China is the world's second-biggest economy and the UK's third-biggest trading partner.

"This is a real effort from him to drive business and drive cooperation," Beth adds. 

The PM spoke about making progress on whisky exports, securing visa-free travel to China for Brits (which China says it will "actively consider") and tackling small boat crossings. 

"Look, in the bigger picture, this is a very significant reset," Beth explains.

She says: "The UK and China have had poor relations for a number of years. 

"President Xi himself said in the opening remarks ahead of this meeting that the 'twists and turns' in the relationship have helped neither country, and he has called on these two nations to come together to work both in terms of economy and diplomacy. 

"That is what the prime minister is trying to do."

Beth also points out that the PM says he did raise difficult subjects, such as human rights, with his Chinese counterpart - but "we haven't got any details of that yet".

She also points to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch saying she would not have come to China if she was PM as she believes it is the wrong time for closer relations. 

But Beth adds: "For the prime minister - he definitely thinks trying to reset the relationship, have deeper economic ties is something worth doing.

"He will be pleased with how this bilateral meeting has gone."

She notes that President Xi was very warm in the meeting with Starmer, and "clearly wants to offer the hand of friendship".

The challenge for Starmer will be to perform the "delicate dance" of keeping US Donald Trump on side, while expanding trading relations with China.

The latest episode of Politics at Sam and Anne's has dropped - and is now available to stream.

On today's edition - Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets China's President Xi calling for a "more sophisticated relationship" - but can both nations achieve that amidst global uncertainty?

Sam and Anne dive into the details, looking at who is on the trip and reflect on the "twists and turns" of the relations between the two nations.

Back in London, is the assisted dying bill on its last legs with the clock ticking on the time to debate and scrutinise the legislation in the House of Lords.

Plus, have the welfare reforms – led by Pat McFadden – been shelved for the foreseeable future? 

Listen to the full episode below...

Sir Keir Starmer is touring the Forbidden City in Beijing, following his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

Once home to the Chinese emperors, the imperial palace complex dates back more than 600 years and is the largest royal palace complex still standing in the world.

It's the latest grand bit of political theatre in what is already an historic trip - the first made to China by a British PM in eight years.

Speaking a short while ago, Starmer told journalists that the British delegation has made "good progress" on a number of issues, including whisky exports, visa-free travel to China and tackling illegal migration. 

The Chinese government has said it will "actively consider implementing unilateral visa-free entry for the UK".

Currently, this exists for 48 - mainly European - countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia, as well as those including Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Starmer's meeting with Xi Jinping took place at around 2am UK time - though we've heard from both delegations in the last hour or so.

He is expected to hold more bilateral meetings this morning (UK time - it is currently gone 4pm in Beijing).

The PM will be meeting with Premier Li Qiang, seen as the second most influential politician in China, before holding a signing ceremony and then holding a UK-China business council alongside Li. 

Of course, we'll bring you the latest as we have it - right here on the Politics Hub.

Alex Norris has insisted it's "important" the UK works with China on a range of issues because they are involved in many different global issues. 

The border security minister is speaking to Paste BN while Sir Keir Starmer is abroad in China - the first visit to the country by a British PM in eight years.

Yesterday, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch confirmed that she would not have travelled to China if she was PM because she believes it is not the right time. 

But the minister disagrees.

He says: "It is really important that we have a good and consistent relationship with China. 

"Viewers will understand that whether it's the economy, whether it's the climate, whether it's international organised crime, China has an important stake in it. 

"It's important we work with them to get the best out of it, which is what the prime minister is doing over in China at the moment."

He points to a deal signed with China which will see the two countries security and intelligence services collaborate to tackle the supply of engines for small boats.

"Over 60% of engines in channel crossings last year originated in China," Norris says.

"So having that relationship with China and their enforcement agencies means we can disrupt that flow."

Challenged that stopping the boats is easier said than done, the minister responds: "The more support we have from international partners, the more we can do that. 

"Every boat part disruption means that the model becomes less reliable, and becomes more expensive. And if you add that to what I've said on the program before about changes around asylum, around increases in enforcement against those who've got no right to work here around removals of people, no right to be here, together that's a very significant package of work."

Today's episode of Cheat Sheet has been published and can now be streamed.

Sir Keir Starmer says he wants a more sophisticated relationship with China.

However, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping has acknowledged that there have been twists and turns in UK-China ties but admitted that engagement is "unavoidable".

The PM is on a three-day visit to the country - the first time a British prime minister has been to China in eight years.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate between the US and Iran after a warning from President Trump that time is running out for a nuclear deal.

Plus, a man paralysed in an accident is given new hope after being given Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant. 

Sebastian Gomez-Pena, one of seven people fitted with the chip in the UK trial, can now control a laptop simply by thinking, despite being paralysed from the neck down.

Sophy and Wilf have the day's news in just 10 minutes.

You can listen to the podcast in full below...