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13:49 GMT
LONDON, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- Ahead of his trip to Beijing, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that the UK cannot ignore the immense economic opportunities presented by China.
In a televised interview with Bloomberg News, Starmer, the first UK Prime Minister to visit China in eight years, said that the visit would be a significant opportunity for British companies to grow and expand.
Asked whether the visit would affect relations with the US, Starmer responded, "I'm often invited to simply choose between countries. We've got very close relations with the US of course, we want to, and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defence."
If the accompanying delegation would compromise national security, he answered, "They understand the opportunities that there are... That does not mean compromising on national security.. quite the opposite."
Recently, the UK government approved the construction of a mega Chinese embassy in London, drawing criticisms from politician and experts.
Starmer is due to depart to China later today, heading to Beijing on a visit seen by some press outlets as a "reset" for UK-China relations. It will conclude on January 31. (end)
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