British PM Starmer 'resets relations' with China despite criticism
The World
PRX
4.6 • 943 Ratings
🗓️ 30 January 2026
⏱️ 51 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Keir Starmer is in China this week, marking the first time a British prime minister has visited the country in eight years. UK–China ties have been under strain since Beijing’s crackdown on Hong Kong and amid allegations of Chinese spying in Britain. Also, understanding the partial return of internet access in Iran. And, a look at US and Israeli pressure on the ICC. Plus, the northern Finnish port city of Oulu becomes one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2026.
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| 0:00.0 | The internet blackout in Iran is starting to be lifted. |
| 0:08.0 | People watching from the outside can now see more of the deadly crackdown against Iranian protesters. |
| 0:14.0 | I really don't know how one continues to live in such a broken society. |
| 0:19.0 | I'm Carolyn Beeler, the latest on internet connectivity in Iran. |
| 0:23.6 | Also today, the British government is looking to boost economic growth. |
| 0:27.6 | What business needs is confidence and certainty. |
| 0:31.6 | They're finding that in China. |
| 0:33.6 | We will also hear about the rise and very public fall of the 80s R&B duo Millie Vanilli. |
| 0:39.3 | People were crushing CDs, they were setting them on fire, they were ripping up their concert tickets. |
| 0:44.5 | Like, people were aggrieved. |
| 0:46.1 | They were lawsuits over it. |
| 0:47.5 | At the Grammys, this weekend, another chapter to that music story will be written. |
| 0:52.9 | That's all ahead today on the world. |
| 0:57.1 | This is The World. |
| 0:58.5 | I'm Carolyn Beeler. |
| 0:59.6 | Thank you for joining us on this Friday. |
| 1:01.8 | We begin today in Beijing, where Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted the British prime minister |
| 1:06.9 | today. |
| 1:08.0 | Kier Starmour is the first head of government from the UK to visit China in eight years. |
| 1:13.3 | Relations between the two countries have been strained recently following China's harsh crackdown on |
| 1:18.5 | democracy advocates in Hong Kong and allegations of Chinese spying in the UK. But speaking in China's |
| 1:25.0 | capital, Starmor said things with China are in a good, strong place. |
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