The meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping "carried a lot of weight, controversy and obvious consequence", our political editor Beth Rigby says.

But she adds that "both men met that moment".

The prime minister is yet to share his thoughts on how the discussion went, but in his opening remarks he called for a more "sophisticated" relationship with China and said it had been too long since a British prime minister visited the country.

He also referenced how events abroad affect the prices at home. 

Beth says: "The prime minister, thousands of miles away, still trying to make the point here in China about the cost of living, which will be his driving message through 2026."

The Chinese president also made some "fascinating remarks", Beth adds.

Xi Jinping referenced how the UK and China relationship has taken some "twists and turns" in recent years that did not serve either nation. 

This is a reference to the "golden era" under David Cameron, which saw the Chinese leader come to the UK for a state visit in 2015, and the more frosty relationship with later Conservative governments.

Xi Jinping also praised past Labour governments for their contributions to growing UK-China relations, Beth notes, while he said more dialogue between the two countries is "imperative".

Reflecting on the two men's comments overall, Beth says: "You couldn't really have had warmer words at the top of that meeting.

"But as we've been saying, there are challenges in this relationship too."

Beth points to issues around human rights and China's tacit support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

"It's not all plain sailing, but these are two countries that clearly want to do business together - and that is why Keir Starmer is here," Beth concludes.

Our Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith has visited Thames Town in Songjiang District, and asks whether it's a good metaphor for the UK and China's relationship.

Watch more below….

Political commentator Adam Boulton was a guest on the latest edition of The Wrap - and questioned the prime minister's visit to China.

You can watch what he had to say in the video below:

The bilateral meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping has now ended, and later than expected.

It went on for around an hour and 20 minutes, twice more than thought.

The prime minister will next attend a cultural reception - that's set for around 5am.

You can watch the full opening remarks from the prime minister and Chinese president in the video below...

While Sir Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping continue their talks, we can bring you detail on one agreement to be signed by the prime minister later.

It covers joint UK-China law enforcement on tackling people smuggling, and is expected to include intelligence sharing on supply routes and direct engagement with Chinese manufacturers to discourage them from supplying the gangs.

It will also see the two nations agree to step up the removal of people with no right to be in the UK and crack down on Chinese gangs manufacturing synthetic opioids.

Ahead of the meetings today, Starmer said: "This deal will help us cut off the supply of boats at source – stopping crossings before lives are put at risk and restoring control to our borders.

"This is Britain back at the top table, delivering real results for the British people through our international relationships."

"Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention," Xi Jinping tells Sir Keir Starmer at their meeting.

"Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead fortitude."

After quoting a Chinese proverb - telling Starmer to "range far your eye over long distances" - Xi added: "As long as we take a broad perspective, rise above differences and respect each other, then we will prove ourselves able to stand the test of history."

He added that the prime minister's visit was a "sign of auspiciousness" given the incoming Chinese New Year next month.

Speaking at the meeting now, Xi Jinping tells Sir Keir Starmer that the relationship between the UK and China "went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries".

'We're ready for long-term partnership'

The Chinese president then said that the state of the world is "turbulent and fluid," so more dialogue between the countries was "imperative", whether it was "for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples".

"In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations," Xi added.

"China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples."

More now from Sir Keir Starmer in Beijing, where he tells Xi Jinping it had been "too long" since a British prime minister visited the country. 

"China is a vital player on the global stage, and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship," Starmer said.

He then said "it is with the British people in mind that I am here today", adding: "I made the promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government that I would make Britain face outwards again.

"Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel."