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Clyde Best film set for London premiere

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Clyde Best film set for London premiere

Bermudian footballer lauded as ‘a symbol of resilience, excellence, and change’

The powerful new sports and social history documentary about footballer Clyde Best will make its highly-anticipated world premiere at Sadler’s Wells East Theatre in London on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:30pm, kicking off a one-week run of screenings in the British capital where Best first made his mark as a 17-year-old playing for West Ham United.

Tickets for the Bermuda premiere screenings of the highly anticipated feature documentary on the career of Clyde Best go on sale today. These showings in April 2026 have been specially curated for Bermuda to celebrate our hometown hero before the documentary goes on tour around the FIFA World Cup host cities. 

Tickets are on sale now through the Clyde Best Story website.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Dan Egan and narrated by accomplished actor, director and producer Tony D. Head, the documentary traces Best’s journey from Bermuda to English football’s top flight, where he rose to prominence with West Ham United in the late 1960s and ’70s. Facing open racism while performing at the highest level of the game, Best not only broke barriers but excelled—scoring 58 goals in 218 appearances and becoming a symbol of resilience, excellence, and change.

Among other key events, the film revisits Easter Sunday 1972, when Best, Charles, and Ade Coker became the first Black trio to start a match in England’s First Division—an historic moment that transcended sport.

The film also chronicles Best’s vital role in American soccer during its formative professional years and his close relationship with legendary U.S. coach Clive Charles. In the North American Soccer League, he helped the Tampa Bay Rowdies capture the 1975 Soccer Bowl and later became a fan favorite with the Portland Timbers, leaving a lasting imprint on the U.S. game both on and off the pitch.

Featuring newly uncovered archival footage and exclusive interviews, the film includes appearances by Harry Redknapp, Kasey Keller, Les Ferdinand, Viv Anderson, and Ian Wright, among others. Together, they reflect on Best’s impact across generations and continents, and on football’s ongoing journey toward greater inclusion and equity.

Sadler’s Wells East opened in February 2025 and is one of London’s latest iconic cultural venues, located at East Bank, the city’s newest cultural quarter at the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with a powerful legacy of sports from the 2012 Olympic Games. Two encore screenings will also run at Lumiere Cinema Romford on Sunday, March 29 at 2pm & 7pm.

Bermuda Screenings:

Earl Cameron Theatre at City Hall

  • Monday, April 21, 2026 — 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, April 22, 2026 — 7:30 PM

Ruth Seaton James Centre at CedarBridge Academy

  • Thursday, April 23, 2026 — 7:30 PM
  • Friday, April 24, 2026 — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, April 25, 2026 — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, April 26, 2026 — 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM


Tickets consist of Gerneral Admission ($50) and VIP / Red Carpet Experience ($125). The VIP / Red Carpet Experience offers an exclusive and immersive premiere evening, including:

·       Premium reserved seating

·       Red carpet reception

·       Meet & greet opportunities

·       Photo opportunity

·       Post film discussion

Gold sponsors include Gosling’s, Miller Insurance, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, with backing from the Bermuda Football Association and the Government of Bermuda. It is also an official project of the International Documentary Association.

With its premiere at one of London’s most iconic cultural venues, Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story positions Clyde Best not only as a football legend, but as a key figure who – along with Coker and Charles – transformed the game into what we know today.

>> Additional information: www.clydebest.com

>> Film Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGld3r5q1VQ

>> Tickets: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/the-clyde-best-story/

London Shows:

Wednesday, March 257:30pm Sadler’s Wells East

Thursday, March 26 7:30pm Sadler’s Wells East

Friday, March 27 7:30pm Sadler’s Wells East

Saturday, March 28 7:30pm Sadler’s Wells East

Sunday, March 29 2pm Lumiere Cinema Romford

7pm Lumiere Cinema Romford

Walk to Calvary event returns to St George’s

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Walk to Calvary event returns to St George’s

Organizers promise a week of events providing solace, reflection, and renewal

St. George’s, Bermuda — One of Bermuda’s most cherished and enduring cultural traditions will return this April as the Walk to Calvary Bermuda Experience prepares to welcome locals, visitors, and international guests for its annual Resurrection Week observance, taking place April 1–6, 2026, in the historic UNESCO World Heritage Town of St. George’s.

Now in its 40+ year legacy, Walk to Calvary has grown into Bermuda’s largest faith-based cultural experience, drawing thousands of attendees each Good Friday and increasingly positioning itself as a signature April tourism event that blends faith, heritage, community, and island hospitality. Cast rehearsals are underway and the event organizers look forward to showcasing what Bermuda has to offer.

A Cultural Anchor for April Tourism in Bermuda

Each year, April stands out as one of the best times to visit Bermuda, offering pleasant spring weather, shoulder-season travel value, and a full calendar of cultural activity. The Walk to Calvary Experience plays a key role in this period, providing visitors with a multi-day, immersive cultural journey that goes beyond traditional sightseeing.

Over five days, the experience includes:

  • The iconic Good Friday Walk to Calvary Reenactment through the historic streets of St. George’s
  • Community worship and reflection events
  • Family-friendly cultural programming
  • Traditional Bermuda kite-making and kite-flying activities
  • Local food experiences, including a Seder Dinner and Codfish Breakfast
  • Guided heritage tours of St. George’s
  • A Sunrise Resurrection Service at Ordnance Island

Together, these elements create a holistic cultural tourism offering that appeals to families, faith-based travelers, heritage tourists, and group visitors seeking meaningful, safe, and enriching travel experiences.

2026 Theme Reflects Global Need for Peace and Connection

The 2026 theme, “Love Walked Among Us” (John 13:34), will guide the upcoming experience, highlighting Jesus’ message of love, compassion, and unity—values that continue to resonate across cultures and generations.

Organizers note that in a world facing ongoing social, economic, and global challenges, the Walk to Calvary Experience offers visitors a place of solace, reflection, and renewal, while showcasing Bermuda’s reputation as one of the world’s most welcoming and peaceful destinations.

Tourism, Culture, and Community Working Together

In recent years, Walk to Calvary has expanded its reach through partnerships with local churches, cultural organizations, tourism stakeholders, and hospitality partners. The event now attracts:

  • Local residents and families
  • Overseas visitors from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
  • Faith-based travel groups and tour organizers
  • Bermudians living abroad who return home for Resurrection Week

Organizers are actively encouraging local businesses, tourism partners, and cultural stakeholders to help promote the experience to overseas guests and returning visitors, reinforcing Bermuda’s position as a destination for purpose-driven, culturally rich travel.

Call for Cast, Volunteers, Sponsors, and Community Ambassadors

As planning continues for April 2026, Walk to Calvary is inviting:

  • Volunteer cast members of all ages (no acting experience required)
  • Behind-the-scenes volunteers (logistics, marshalling, administration, production)
  • Sponsors and patrons at all giving levels
  • Local residents to serve as cultural and tourism ambassadors by sharing the experience with overseas family, friends, churches, and colleagues

Affordable VIP Visitor Packages are also available for overseas guests, offering significant savings on events, transportation, and partner experiences during Resurrection Week. They say Bermuda is expansive but Walk to Calvary Experience team have made it affordable with their all-inclusive package, encouraged by the Bermuda Tourism Authority. 

A Signature April Experience for Bermuda

The Walk to Calvary Bermuda Experience continues to demonstrate how culture, faith, tourism, and community can come together to create an event that benefits the island socially, spiritually, and economically.

As Bermuda looks ahead to another vibrant April season, Walk to Calvary stands as a powerful reminder that the island offers more than natural beauty—it offers heritage, heart, and hospitality.

For more information, participation details, or partnership opportunities:
🌐 Website: https://walktocalvary.bm
📧 Email: info@walktocalvary.bm

62% of residents worry AI poses job risk

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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62% of residents worry AI poses job risk

Narrative Research Bermuda surveyed 248 adult Bermuda residents on the subject of artificial intelligence adoption

FILE PHOTO: AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

A majority Bermuda residents have expressed concerns about AI relating to job security, risks and data privacy, according to a new survey.


Narrative Research Bermuda said 248 residents were asked for their views on AI with half reporting using AI for personal use at least weekly. Nearly 6 out of 10 employed residents use it weekly for work.


78% of those surveyed belief that AI needs to be regulated, while 62% believed jobs are at risk due to AI. 50% did not trust the information supplied by AI.

They said, “By contrast, one-third reported feeling excited about AI’s opportunities, seeing it as a solution to current labour shortages, or trusting the information it provides.”


According to the survey, those with household incomes of more than $75k are more likely to use AI at least weekly in their personal life and for work.


The surveys were carried out between December 5th, 2025 and January 4th, 2026

Rwanda seeks arbitration over cancellation of asylum deal with UK

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Rwanda seeks arbitration over cancellation of asylum deal with UK

Under the scheme, signed before Starmer took office, Britain agreed to pay Rwanda to take in migrants who had arrived illegally in Britain

International News via Reuters:

Rwanda has filed an arbitration case against Britain over the cancellation of an asylum deal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024, the government of the East African nation said.

Under the scheme, signed before Starmer took office, Britain agreed to pay Rwanda to take in migrants who had arrived illegally in Britain. It only managed to send four people voluntarily to Rwanda as legal challenges stalled the plan.

Rwanda has submitted a notice to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing Britain had breached the financial arrangements of the “migration partnership”, its government said in a statement on X on Tuesday.

It added that Britain had asked it in 2024 to forgo two payments of 50 million pounds ($69 million) due in April 2025 and April 2026 in anticipation of the formal termination of the treaty underlying the deal.

Rwanda said it was prepared to agree, provided the treaty was terminated and new financial terms were negotiated and agreed.

“Discussions between Rwanda and the United Kingdom did not, however, ultimately take place, and the amounts remain due and payable under the treaty,” the Kigali government added.

A spokesperson for Starmer told reporters on Tuesday: “The Rwanda scheme was a complete disaster, it wasted 700 million pounds of taxpayer cash to return just four volunteers.”

“We will robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers and we are getting on with the job of focusing on effective ways to stamp out illegal migration, not costly gimmicks.”

Relations between Britain and Rwanda soured last year when London paused some aid over the Rwandan role in the war in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda has faced global pressure over accusations that it supports the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.

Kigali denies backing M23 and has blamed Congolese and Burundian forces for renewed fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands in the past year.

($1=0.7245 pounds)

Reporting by Philbert Girinema and Elias Biryabarema; editing by Alexander Winning, Clarence Fernandez and Mark Heinrich

Irish retail sales post first annual decline in nine months in December

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Irish retail sales post first annual decline in nine months in December

Retail sales were 0.4% lower in December than November, and 0.8% lower if motor traders are excluded

International News via Reuters:

Irish retail sales volumes fell 0.1% year-on-year in December, the first annual decline in nine months and a dramatic drop from revised annual growth of 2.1% the previous month, Central Statistics Office data showed on Wednesday.

Retail sales were 0.4% lower in December than November, and 0.8% lower if motor traders are excluded.

Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Padraic Halpin

Germany to hold call with select EU states in push for a ‘two‑speed’ Europe

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Germany to hold call with select EU states in push for a ‘two‑speed’ Europe

France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands have been invited to take part in the video conference

International News via Reuters:

Germany will discuss pushing ahead with plans for a “two-speed” European Union to facilitate agile decision-making at a time of geopolitical upheaval in a call with ministers from five other leading European economies on Wednesday.

France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands have been invited to take part in the video conference, which follows ridicule from officials in Donald Trump’s administration over the time it takes for the 27-country bloc to make a decision.

The idea of forging ad-hoc coalitions allowing some EU countries to pursue projects without all of them having to agree has long tempted some of its members, and has already been applied to key projects including the euro currency.

It is gaining new momentum as Europe confronts widening insecurity, sluggish growth and deep political divergences.

“Now is the time for a Europe of two speeds,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Tuesday in Berlin ahead of the video conference of finance ministers.

SURVIVAL AT STAKE

Klingbeil wants the countries invited to the call, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. (1400 GMT), to set a concrete agenda to strengthen the sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness of Europe, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

“To survive in an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical situation, Europe must become stronger and more resilient,” Klingbeil wrote in the letter to his counterparts dated Monday, adding that continuing as before could not be an option.

The invitation said it is meant as a “kick-off,” and a follow-up meeting in person in the margins of the next Eurogroup should follow.

“Due to the geopolitical situation, the EU simply cannot afford to wait for all 27 members anymore,” said Nicolai von Ondarza, European expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP).

He pointed to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s toughening stance and willingness to press ahead in Europe without unanimity, be it on the Mercosur trade deal or Ukraine.

FLEXIBLE APPROACH

The move by Germany’s finance minister to include only six countries for Wednesday’s call could alienate other EU members, but German officials said the approach was flexible.

The advance-group approach would work in different formats, depending on who wants to join, and will not be restricted to the six countries, they said.

France has long pushed for willing EU countries to go forward without the others and is expected to join the call, as is Italy’s Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti.

“An effort is being made to find a framework for discussions to seek solutions to more complex situations in a restricted format,” an Italian source said.

STARTING WITH THE ECONOMY

Germany’s letter includes a four-point plan to push forward an EU capital markets union, strengthen the euro and better coordinate investment in defense and secure raw materials.

Klingbeil said the coalition also needs to move faster on a Savings and Investment Union to create better financing conditions for European businesses.

On the euro, he called for cuts to red tape and enhanced sovereignty in the payment sphere to highlight the currency’s role as a safe haven based on predictability and rule of law.

He urged better cooperation on defence, which he said should be firmly embedded as a priority in the next EU multiannual budget, “turning defence into an engine for growth”.

Supply chain resilience for critical minerals must also be strengthened, with greater strategic engagement with international partners, he said.

Additional reporting by Giuseppe Fonte in Rome, Leigh Thomas in Paris, Christian Kraemer and Maria Martinez in Berlin; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Philippa Fletcher

Pound gives back some gains after hitting four-year high on Trump comments

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Pound gives back some gains after hitting four-year high on Trump comments

Sterling was last down 0.44% at $1.3784- it rose more than 1.2% on Tuesday to $1.3867, its highest level since September 2021

International News via Reuters:

The pound dipped on Wednesday after surging to a four-month high the previous day as comments from U.S. President Donald Trump deepened investors’ concerns about the dollar.

Sterling was last down 0.44% at $1.3784. It rose more than 1.2% on Tuesday to $1.3867, its highest level since September 2021.

Trump said the value of the dollar is “great” when asked about its recent steep falls on Tuesday, adding to a sense among investors that the administration is happy with a cheaper currency, which makes U.S. exports more competitive.

The dollar index, which tracks the currency against its major peers, fell around 1.2% to its lowest since February 2022 on Tuesday at 95.57.

Analysts on Wednesday said the fall in the pound was a natural reaction after the steep rally the previous day and the 2.6% increase so far this year, which has been aided by stronger economic data in recent weeks.

“There’s a little bit of taking stock,” said Chris Turner, global head of markets at lender ING. “I think 0.4% (lower) is very small compared to the four big figures we’ve had over the last week,” he said, referring to a rise of four cents in the pound.

The euro was little changed against the pound on Wednesday at 86.92 pence. It has fallen very slightly versus sterling this year.

The focus in currency markets has been firmly on the dollar, which has fallen 2.1% this year after dropping more than 9% in 2025.

Trump’s erratic economic policymaking and pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates have weighed on the outlook for the currency, despite the relative strength of the U.S. economy.

Turner said signs that the United States and Japan could be coordinating to boost the yen against the dollar had been a key catalyst for the latest selling in the U.S. currency.

Reporting by Harry RobertsonEditing by Ros Russell

Parks Dept seeks summer concession proposals

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Parks Dept seeks summer concession proposals

Vendors invited to apply for concession services at 16 public parks for the 2026 season

The Government of Bermuda issued the following media release.

The Department of Parks is seeking proposals from suitable concessionaires to provide beach/park concession services at sixteen (16) public parklands for the summer season 2026 (1 April to 30 November).

Locations of these concessions and square footage is detailed below:

·        Parson’s Road Park – Site 2: 15ft x 10ft

·        Penhurst Park – 10ft x 10ft

·        Great Head Park (St. David’s Battery) – 15ft x 10ft

·        Ferry Point Park – 15ft x 10ft

·        Alexandra Battery – 10ft x 10ft

·        Elbow Beach – 15ft x 10ft

·        Government Waterfront (On North Shore Road, near the roundabout opposite Government House) – 15ft x 10ft

·        Daniel’s Head Beach Park – 10ft x 10ft

·        Ducks Puddle Annex Park – Site 1: 10ft x 10ft & Site 2: 10ft x 10ft

·        Warwick Long Bay Playground – 15ft x 10ft

·        Ducking Stool Park – 15ft x 10ft

·        Friendship Vale Park – 10ft x 10ft

·        Kindley Field Park – Site 1: 20ft x 10ft & Site 2: 20ft x 10ft

·        Vaughn’s Bay/ Gunner’s Bay – 10ft x 10ft

Proposals may be submitted for up to three of the above-listed locations, with the understanding that only one location will be awarded per concessionaire.

The Commercial Activity application form and concession location maps can be collected at the Department of Parks main office located at Global House, Ground Floor, 43 Church Street, Hamilton or from our website at https://www.gov.bm/department/parks.

Proposals, along with the completed Commercial Activity application form, must be hand-delivered to the Reception Desk of the Department of Parks Main Office, Global House, 43 Church Street, Hamilton, Ground Floor, or submitted via e-mail to jlcarvalho@gov.bm by 23 February, 2026. Non-conformance to the above-mentioned requirements may render the proposal submission null and void.

Questions are to be forwarded to Mrs Jessica Carvalho (Acting Park Planner) at jlcarvalho@gov.bm during the proposal period, with final questions forwarded no later than two

(2) working days (19 February, 2026) prior to the proposal submission date.

Drug seizures net nearly $30m in 2025

Alisa Bernardo
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Drug seizures net nearly $30m in 2025

Police say intelligence-led operations disrupted gang-linked criminal activity

Illegal drugs with a street value of nearly 30 million dollars were seized by police in 2025, leading to more than two dozen arrests.

Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons described the haul as a “significant amount,” noting it as another way officers are disrupting gun and gang-related criminal activity – crimes he says are directly linked.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith said some of the seizures occurred at ports of entry, adding that police are conducting parallel financial investigations alongside criminal cases.

Commissioner Simons credited intelligence-led policing, targeted enforcement, and strong collaboration with Customs and the Director of Public Prosecutions as key factors contributing to last year’s results.

Both Commissioner Simons and DCI Smith also acknowledged the community, thanking residents for coming forward with information and assisting police in bringing offenders to justice.

Search for 32 missing in Indonesia landslide hampered by rain as death toll rises to 34

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Search for 32 missing in Indonesia landslide hampered by rain as death toll rises to 34

The landslide struck Pasir Langu village in Bandung Barat region early on Saturday, triggered by heavy rains that started a day earlier

International News via Reuters:

Rain is hampering the search for 32 people still missing five days after a landslide hit Indonesia’s West Java province, the disaster mitigation agency said on Wednesday, as it raised the death toll to 34.

The landslide struck Pasir Langu village in Bandung Barat region early on Saturday, triggered by heavy rains that started a day earlier.

Among those missing is the brother of Muhammad Rifal Firmansyah, 14. Rifal has spent the past four days at the landslide site, digging through mud and rocks and showing rescuers photographs of his father, mother, and brother on his phone.

His father and mother were found dead on Tuesday but his brother remains missing. Several other relatives have also not been found, his aunt said.

Rifal was 50 km (30 miles) away in an Islamic boarding school when the landslide struck and he learned of the disaster from a cousin.

“I contacted everyone at home but no one responded. Then I knew, it hit my home. I cried,” he said.

“We had landslides before but small, it would just pass the front of the house. This time, it levelled everything. Everything’s gone.”

The village is in a hilly area of the province about 100 km (60 miles) southeast of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta.

“It’s raining in the landslide site this morning but all the rescuers are ready to continue the search, waiting for the right timing,” disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.

The death toll rose to 34 from the previous count of 20. Another 23 people survived the disaster.

Twenty-three soldiers were killed while conducting border patrol training, the Indonesian Navy said on Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear whether the latest death toll included those soldiers, Muhari said.

A team is currently working at the scene to identify the bodies, Muhari added.

At least 800 rescuers, military and police personnel along with nine excavators have been deployed to find the remaining missing people.

Reporting by Yuddy Cahya Budiman in West Bandung and Ananda Teresia in Jakarta; Editing by David Stanway and Alison Williams

Storm Kristin knocks out power to 800,000 in Portugal and barrels into Spain

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Storm Kristin knocks out power to 800,000 in Portugal and barrels into Spain

At least one person died when a tree fell on their car in Vila Franca de Xira, on the outskirts of Lisbon, according to emergency services

International News via Reuters:

Storm Kristin left more than 800,000 people across central and northern Portugal without electricity early on Wednesday, toppling trees and utility posts, damaging homes, and disrupting motorway and rail traffic before moving inland to Spain, authorities said.

At least one person died when a tree fell on their car in Vila Franca de Xira, on the outskirts of Lisbon, according to emergency services.

Civil protection authorities reported around 1,500 weather‑related incidents, triggered by wind gusts of up to 150 km/h (93 mph), heavy rain and even snowfall in the country of nearly 11 million people.

Grid operator E-Redes said technical teams were working to reestablish power supplies to some 855,000 clients after their initial efforts were hindered by the severe weather.

The storm then pushed east into Spain, which is still dealing with the impact of a previous system, Storm Joseph. In the coastal town of Torremolinos, strong winds felled a palm tree on Tuesday, killing a woman.

More than 160 roads across Spain were affected by snow on Wednesday, including 27 motorways on the main highway network, such as the A‑6 linking Madrid with the northwest. Snow also blanketed rooftops in parts of central Madrid but caused no major disruptions.

Spain’s national weather agency AEMET warned that large areas of the country would face very strong winds, with some gusts reaching hurricane force. Authorities in parts of southern Almeria province issued a red alert due to the intensity of the winds.

Local authorities closed parks, and in some areas outdoor sports and educational activities were suspended.

Reporting by Andrei Khalip, Emma Pinedo and David Latona; Editing by Ros Russell

Britain’s Starmer arrives in China as Western alliances face strain

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Britain’s Starmer arrives in China as Western alliances face strain

Starmer said Britain must remain vigilant about potential security threats but could not afford to ignore the opportunities presented by the world’s second-largest economy

International News via Reuters:

Keir Starmer began the first visit to China by a British prime minister since 2018 on Wednesday, seeking to strengthen political and business ties with Beijing as relations between Western countries and the U.S. become more volatile.

Starmer, whose approach to China has been criticised by some British and U.S. politicians, said Britain must remain vigilant about potential security threats but could not afford to ignore the opportunities presented by the world’s second-largest economy.

“It doesn’t make sense to stick our head in the ground and bury it in the sand when it comes to China, it’s in our interests to engage,” he told reporters on the plane. “It’s going to be a really important trip for us and we’ll make some real progress.”

Travelling with a delegation of more than 50 business leaders, Starmer will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday before travelling to Shanghai on Friday for talks with local executives.

The visit could mark a shift in ties between Britain and China after years of deep acrimony over Beijing’s crackdown on political freedoms in Hong Kong, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war and allegations by British security services that China regularly spies on politicians and officials.

For China, the visit offers the country a chance to portray itself as a stable and reliable partner at a time of global disorder.

TENSIONS WITH TRUMP SHADOW STARMER’S TRIP

European and other Western countries have engaged in a flurry of diplomacy with China as they hedge against unpredictability from the United States under President Donald Trump.

Starmer’s trip follows tensions with Trump over his threats to seize Greenland, his criticism of Britain’s deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago – including an island with a U.S.-UK air base – to Mauritius, and his comments that NATO allies avoided front-line combat during the war in Afghanistan.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if that country’s prime minister, Mark Carney, signed a trade deal with China.

The UK leader insisted Britain could continue to strengthen economic ties with China – without angering Trump – because of his country’s long history of working closely with the United States.

“The relationship we have with the U.S. is one of the closest relationships we hold, on defence, security, intelligence and also on trade and lots of areas,” he said.

Starmer was reluctant to be drawn on what he would discuss with Chinese leaders, or if he would bring up the fate of Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media tycoon who was convicted in December of national security crimes.

He also declined to say whether he would ask China to pressure Russia to end its war against Ukraine.

Asked if Britain and China could strike a deal that would allow more visa-free travel, Starmer said he hoped to make some “progress” in that area.

He also distanced himself from comments made by Carney last week about middle countries working together to avoid being victimised by American hegemony.

“I’m a pragmatist, a British pragmatist applying common sense,” Starmer said, rejecting the idea that his government must choose between the U.S. and Europe.

Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus and Philippa Fletcher

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