On January 28, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Beijing for a four-day official visit — the first visit to China by a British prime minister in eight years. During the trip, he sampled Yunnan cuisine and took photos at the Forbidden City, adding a human touch to the diplomatic schedule. Meanwhile, developments including confirmation of visa-free travel arrangements and discussions over whisky tariffs created new opportunities for bilateral engagement.
On the evening of his arrival, Starmer and his delegation went directly to a Yunnan restaurant in Sanlitun. After the meal, he took photos with staff and said “thank you” in Chinese, demonstrating a friendly and approachable image.
On the second day, Starmer met with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and presented a special diplomatic gift — the match ball from the recent Premier League game in which Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-2. Starmer is an Arsenal supporter, while the Chinese leader supports Manchester United. The gift symbolically used sport as a shared language to build rapport.
Later that afternoon, Starmer toured the Palace Museum in what media described as “tourist mode.”
Behind the lively itinerary was practical cooperation. Most notable was the formal confirmation of a short-term visa-free entry policy for British citizens: UK nationals visiting China for tourism or business will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.
The two countries also signed cooperation agreements covering trade, healthcare, education, and food safety. Executives from HSBC, Standard Chartered, and the London Stock Exchange Group accompanying the delegation actively explored opportunities in the Chinese market, highlighting a pragmatic approach to cooperation.
As a cross-border service enterprise between the UK and China, lansha has long contributed to bilateral political, economic, and cultural exchanges. The company was invited to participate in reception activities related to the Prime Minister’s visit as a representative organization in the UK–China cross-border services sector.
In 2024, lansha won first place in the public vote for the “Outstanding Contribution to the UK Award” at the UK Business Awards, standing out among well-known enterprises including PetroChina, Agricultural Bank of China, and HONOR.
The company has also won the International Property Awards (IPA) for four consecutive years, and its founder Cherrie Lan received the UK–China Outstanding Women “Magnolia Award.”
In cultural and educational exchange, lansha collaborates with UK student associations and schools, sharing educational and property knowledge through its media platforms. It has created over 100 job opportunities for students in the UK and launched a talent rotation program to promote bilateral talent mobility. Founder Cherrie Lan, a mentor in the Real Estate department at the London School of Economics, also co-donated the “Yangtze Hall” to her alma mater to support academic exchange.
For lansha, participating in the reception of the UK Prime Minister’s visit is both recognition and responsibility. The company will continue leveraging its resources and experience to provide Chinese student families with settlement and education-matching services in the UK, while helping investors capture opportunities arising from UK–China service trade cooperation and reinforcing its role as a bridge between the two countries.
Buy a property in the UK with a team of professionals who know the UK property market best｜ Lansha Group
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Paddington, London, Lansha Group has become one of the top 100 seafarers in the industry in the past 10 years, providing one-stop services for international property. We have many years of professional experience in dealing with all aspects of the property market, from choosing a property to opening a home, loans, solicitors, tenancy management and second-hand property sales. We provide 24-hour real-time service to our global clients, assisting them in dealing with the cumbersome formalities of property purchase and home inspection, so that they can move into their homes or invest in them with peace of mind. If you are looking to invest in the UK, Lansha Group has a professional investment team to assist you in selecting the best properties, analysing the housing information and regional development, and making a comprehensive assessment to choose the ideal home. Visit Lansha Group's website now to view our selection of properties and choose your dream home!
If you have any questions about buying a property in the UK, please feel free to contact us directly.
