We've just been hearing from Alex Norris, minister for border security and asylum, following Starmer's conversations in China about small boat crossings.

A reminder, Downing Street says that 60% of the engines in small boats being used to cross the Channel last year were Chinese-made.

Norris tells BBC Breakfast that the government wants British intelligence services to work with China "to disrupt that illicit activity, and that's what we're in the process of agreeing".

Image source, Reuters

Starmer is now being taken on a tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

The Forbidden City is an imperial palace, originally constructed between 1406 and 1420 as the official residence of Ming emperor Zhu Di.

The imperial palace served as the home of Chinese emperors and was the political centre of the Chinese government for more than 500 years.

It was repurposed as the Palace Museum in 1925 and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Asked how forcefully he raised the case of Jimmy Lai and the treatment of Uyghurs, Starmer says: "We raised those issues as you would expect.

"Part of the rationale for engagement is to make sure that we can both seize the opportunities that are available - which is what we've done - but also have a mature discussion about issues that we disagree on."

Asked if China were listening to him, the PM adds: "Yes, we did have a respectful discussion about that."

For context, China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of Xinjiang.

Defending his visit to Beijing, Starmer says: "I always act in the national interest".

He says seizing opportunities that closer ties with China can bring will help to ease the cost of living back in the UK.

He adds that he and President Xi made "real progress" during their discussions.

We have just heard from Keir Starmer following his meeting with President Xi.

He describes the meeting as productive and says there were "real concrete outcomes", adding that the UK's relationship with China is in a "good, strong place".

He says that the delegations made progress on tariffs for whisky, as well as the idea of visa-free travel to China, and on information exchange on "irregular migration" and small boats.

As we reported earlier, more than 60% of small boat engines seized from smuggling gangs last year were found to be manufactured in China, according to Downing Street.

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Starmer had earlier said he would be raising concerns over human rights during his visit to China.

On the top of that list is likely to be the case of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy tycoon who's been detained since December 2020. Last month he was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's controversial national security law, which was introduced in 2020 in response to massive pro-democracy protests.

Beijing says the law is necessary to maintain stability in Hong Kong, but critics say it has effectively outlawed dissent.

Lai, a UK citizen, is the most prominent person to be charged under the law.

His daughter, Claire, had earlier told the BBC she fears she "may never see him again", adding that his physical condition has been deteriorating over the past year.

A former Conservative minister Tom Tugendhat previously told the BBC that Starmer should have secured the release of Lai before heading on his trip.

We have just heard from Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy campaigner who has been detained since 2020 in Hong Kong.

A UK citizen, Lai was convicted of colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's controversial national security law (more on this in the next post).

Sebastien Lai tells BBC Breakfast that Starmer's trip "is obviously a real test" for the relationship between the UK and China.

"The phrase they use is a normalisation - what are we normalising here?" he asks.

Referring to his father's imprisonment, he adds: "This is something that we will never normalise. Whether my father is freed or not is the ultimate test, it's a very visual representation of how China views our relationship.

"We could give them the world, but if they're not giving anything back this is not a relationship."

Chris Mason
Political editor, travelling with Starmer

We will shortly hear from the prime minister for the first time since his meeting with President Xi.

The cameras are set up and he’ll be here in the Forbidden City in Beijing in the next 15 minutes or so.

Image source, Chris Mason/BBC

China has released its official readout on the bilateral meeting between Starmer and Xi - and we're now able to give you more details on what went on behind closed doors, according to the release:

• China dismissed suggestions it posed a threat: "No matter how much China develops and grows stronger, it will not pose a threat to other countries"
• The two leaders discussed cooperation across a range of sectors, from education to healthcare, finance, artificial intelligence and new energy, among others
• China will "actively consider" implementing unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens, said President Xi
• The subject of Taiwan and Hong Kong came up in the meeting, but the readout offered brief details. The UK's policy on Taiwan – it does not recognise the island as a state nor maintain formal diplomatic relations with it – remains unchanged, according to the readout, adding that the UK welcomes Hong Kong as a "unique and important bridge" between the UK and China
• Xi also called on the two countries to advocate for "genuine multilateralism" and a "more just and reasonable governance system", noting that unilateralism and "power politics" have severely impacted the international order

Suranjana Tewari
Asia Business Correspondent

Keir Starmer’s visit to China is as much about economic outcomes as it is about diplomacy.

For the UK, the visit comes at a time of weak growth and a push to attract more overseas investment. China remains one of the world’s largest consumer markets and a major source of foreign investment, in manufacturing, clean energy and infrastructure.

British officials see an opportunity for sectors where the UK is competitive like in financial services, pharmaceuticals and education.

Starmer is facing scrutiny for engaging with Beijing at home, but by taking a large business delegation, it allows him to project the image of a prime minister focused on growth, investment and jobs at a time when the UK economy remains fragile.

China is also facing a drop in domestic demand and growth, fragile investor confidence and rising trade friction with the US. Strengthening ties with the UK - Europe’s second-largest economy - would be a boost for Beijing and signal that it remains open for business with Western partners.

Gavin Butler
Live reporter

Upon meeting Xi earlier today, Starmer handed the Chinese president a rather unusual gift: the football used during last weekend’s English Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Xi is reported to be a supporter of Manchester United, who beat Arsenal – the team Starmer supports – 3-2 on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2015, ESPN described the Chinese president as "Manchester United-obsessed" – noting that during his visit to Britain in 2015 Xi was confusingly given a VIP tour around Etihad Stadium, "the home of United's bitter crosstown rivals, Manchester City".

Starmer, an avid football fan who is regularly seen at Arsenal's games, likely saw the gift as a way to connect to Xi.

It's not the first unique gift a British leader has given the Chinese president. In 2018, Theresa May presented Xi with a DVD box set of BBC's seven-part natural history series, Blue Planet II.

The copy May gave Xi reportedly had a specially recorded message from Sir David Attenborough himself, intended to highlight both countries’ determination to stop plastic pollution.

Chris Mason
Political editor, travelling with Starmer

Amid the formality and history of the Great Hall of the People, both leaders articulated a shared desire for a closer relationship.

Xi pointedly praised Labour governments for what he saw as a history of deepening ties between London and Beijing.

Starmer, forever aware of needing to justify what his critics see as his jaunts on the global stage, said his desire for the UK to "face outwards" reflected the reality that events abroad affect so much back home, from security to prices in the supermarket.

Xi talked of what he called a "turbulent and fluid world" - the clear subtext, China a beacon of stability amid US President Donald Trump’s whims, outbursts and unpredictability.

But the gloss of diplomacy cannot mask the vast differences of instinct and outlook, on human rights and espionage just for starters.

Here are some pictures from Starmer's earlier meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Commentator and former editor-in-chief of Chinese state media outlet the Global Times Hu Xijin has dubbed Britain the "prodigal son who has returned to embrace China".

On Chinese social media, some other users have dubbed Starmer "another Carney".

Starmer is among a series of Western leaders who are paying visits to Beijing amid global political and trade uncertainty - and pain from US tariffs.

Canadian PM Mark Carney similarly met Xi earlier this month and signed a flurry of trade deals, pointing to a thaw over long icy diplomatic ties. Xi hailed the "turnaround" of ties while Carney noted that the "world has changed dramatically".

Earlier this week, Xi welcomed Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing. The president of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, a longstanding US ally in Asia, has also visited Xi. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to go next month.

Looking ahead, here's what else is on Starmer's agenda today.

• Starmer is off to a quick cultural reception before a tour of the Forbidden City
• Following which, he will head to a welcome ceremony and talks with Premier Li Qiang
• The day will wrap up with a session where both Starmer and Li are expected to witness the signing of a series of agreements, before heading off to dinner

We'll bring you the latest as we get them. Stay with us.

Yvette Tan
Live editor

It's just past 12:45 in Beijing (04:45 GMT), and the meeting between Starmer and Xi has concluded.

Here are some of the main takeaways:

• The two leaders met just after 11:00 local time, with Starmer calling China a "vital player on a global scale" with whom the UK is seeking a "more sophisticated relationship"
• Xi said the UK-China relationship had seen “twists and turns”, but added that China stood ready to develop "a long-term and consistent strategic partnership" with the UK, noting that engagement is "unavoidable"
• The Chinese leader further said that he and Starmer would "stand the test of history" if they could "rise above differences"
• Regarding human rights concerns, Starmer said on his flight to Beijing he had "always raised issues that need to be raised", but did not go into specifics. He later flagged global stability, growth and climate change as issues for discussion
• Today's meeting marked the first full day of Starmer's three-day visit to China. He is the first UK prime minister to visit China in eight years

Stay with us as we bring you the latest on this.

Chris Mason
Political editor, travelling with Starmer

The bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People has ended. It lasted for around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Starmer is due to head to a cultural reception later this afternoon, followed by a tour of the Forbidden City.

Suranjana Tewari
Asia Business Correspondent

Both the UK and Chinese governments have said they want to sign trade and investment cooperation agreements during the visit - which would be the first step in a reset and broadening of economic engagement after several years.

Any announcements are likely to focus on sectors like green energy, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, creative industries and professional services such as finance and education.

People briefed on the discussions say talks may include potential Chinese investment in UK automotive production, including proposals for Chinese manufacturers to make use of under-utilised British plants in partnership with companies like Jaguar Land Rover.

But success is unlikely to be measured by deals alone. Restarting regular face-to-face dialogue is critical to rebuild confidence in the trade relationship and unlock future investment.

Commercial agreements, improved market access for British companies in China and a rise in UK exports and inbound Chinese investment would all be seen as concrete wins.

Adam Hancock
Business reporter

As we mentioned earlier, the UK prime minister is being accompanied in China by 54 representatives from top names across British business, sport and culture.

Amongst them are bosses from AstraZeneca, HSBC, Standard Chartered and Airbus UK.

Jaguar Land Rover chief executive Pathamadai Balaji is also amongst the travelling party. China is one of the top three markets for JLR, alongside the US and the UK. The carmaker operates a factory with Chery Automobile in Changshu.

The boss of folding bike company, Brompton, is another business leader making the trip to Beijing. China is the company's largest global market, with the firm's CEO William Butler-Adams saying the country is home to "exciting" business opportunities.

The meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Xi Jinping is still ongoing, we're told.

It's now been going for more than an hour.

We'll bring you the latest updates as and when they happen.