Starmer raises fears on human rights in 1st meeting with Xi

KEIR Starmer yesterday challenged Chinese President Xi Jinping over Beijing's human rights record.

- DAVE BURKE

The Prime Minister raised the case of British national Jimmy Lai - a Hong Kong pro-democracy politician, whose jailing since 2020 has sparked worldwide anger.

Starmer is the first British PM to meet the Chinese leader since 2018.

In a discussion at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Starmer also raised Chinese sanctions against UK politicians including former Tory ministers lain Duncan Smith and Tom Tugendhat, who have been heavily critical of Xi's regime.