Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the first U.K. leader to visit China since 2018, is hoping for an economic boost to Britain but has been criticized by China hawks at home.

China considers Taiwan its own territory and has threatened to take control of the island by force if necessary. China also has increased military pressure and, last month, launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan for two days after the U.S. government announced a major arms sales to Taiwan.