Starmer says he wants 'consistent' approach to China as he flies to Beijing

Summary .Keir Starmer is heading to China for a three-day visit - the first time a UK prime .minister has visited the country since 2018 .Starmer - who is travelling with around 60 British business and cultural leaders - will meet President Xi Jinping, and develop trade ties .Speaking on the flight to Beijing, Starmer says he wants "a comprehensive and consistent approach to China", rather than veering "from golden age to ice age" .On human rights issues, Starmer says: "I've always raised issues that need to be raised," while declining to go into specifics .The government team are using "burner phones" and notebooks due to spying fears .This is the most important moment in the government's attempt to deepen the relationship with China, writes our political editor Chris Mason Read more...