Telling Mr Xi it had been “too long” since a British prime minister visited the country, he said: “China is a vital player on the global stage and it is vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship.”

Stressing the economic benefits of an improved relationship with China, Sir Keir said: “It is with the British people in mind that I am here today.

“I made the promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government that I would make Britain face outwards again.

“Because as we all know, events abroad affect everything that happens back in our home countries, to prices on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.”

Xi Jinping said the UK-China relationship in recent years had seen “twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries” as he met Sir Keir Starmer.

Beginning his meeting with Sir Keir in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Mr Xi said: “China-UK relations went through some twists and turns that did not serve the interests of our countries.”

Describing the state of the world as “turbulent and fluid” Mr Xi said more dialogue between the UK and China was “imperative”, whether it was “for the sake of world peace and stability or for our two countries’ economies and peoples”.

He said: “In the past, Labour governments made important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations.”

He added: “China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples.”

Xi Jinping told Sir Keir Starmer the two men would “stand the test of history” if they could “rise above differences.

He said: “Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention.

“Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead fortitude.”

The president quoted a Chinese proverb: “Range far your eye over long distances”.

He added: “As long as we take a broad perspective, rise above differences and respect each other, then we will prove ourselves able to stand the test of history.”

Mentioning the upcoming Chinese new year, he said Sir Keir’s visit was “a sign of auspiciousness”.

Earlier in the day, Starmer met the chairman of China’s National People’s Congress.

Zhao Leji welcomed Sir Keir to China as the pair met at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

Mr Zhao said it was “significant” to develop the UK-China relationship “well” amid the “changing and turbulent international landscape”.

He also praised Sir Keir’s efforts to reach a rapprochement with China, saying relations were now on “the correct track to improvement and development” and “positive progress has been made.”

Sir Keir said: “This is a historic visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years.”

He added: “We have made this trip because I believe it is strongly in our common interest to find positive ways to work together, and that has been our long-standing position.”

Sir Keir concluded: “I look forward to a very productive few days discussing issues of global stability and security, growth and shared challenges like climate change.”

The Prime Minister is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later.

He is expected to strike a new border security pact with China in his latest attempt to l end the small boat crisis.

More than half of engines used by people smugglers crossing the English Channel are manufactured in the far east nation.

Migrant crossings have surged since Labour came to power 18 months ago.

Sir Keir’s flagship “one in, one out” scheme with France has descended into farce, with more migrants being sent to Britain than are deported back across the channel.

Last year more than 60% of all engines used by smuggling gangs were found to be branded as Chinese manufactured engines.

Inflatable dinghies used in small boat crossings are also often made using parts sourced in China.

The Prime Minister said: “Organised immigration crime and the business model of the smuggling gangs goes beyond borders and our approach to shut them down must do the same.

“This deal will help us cut off the supply of boats at source – stopping crossings before lives are put at risk and restoring control to our borders.”

“This is Britain back at the top table, delivering real results for the British people through our international relationships.”

Sir Keir’s trip to China is the first by a UK Prime Minister since Theresa May in 2018.

A delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions is accompanying the Prime Minister as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing.

But concerns over the risk China poses to national security and Xi Jinping’s record on human rights mean Sir Keir’s visit is politically sensitive.

The head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum has warned that “Chinese state actors” present a national security threat to the UK “every day”.

Intelligence chiefs have warned Beijing seeks to carry out online espionage, interfere in UK public life and harass and intimidate dissidents in the UK.

The security services have warned that “it is not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk” from a new Chinese embassy approved for the heart of London

Sir Keir said he would “never compromise national security” in taking the economic opportunities presented by China.

In the UK, he has come under pressure to raise a series of human rights issues with President Xi, including the imprisonment of British national and Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai and the treatment of the Uighur minority.

Ahead of his meetings with the Chinese leadership, Sir Keir declined to be drawn on what he would seek to raise.

He said: “In the past, on all the trips I’ve done, I’ve always raised issues that need to be raised, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself on the specifics until I’ve had the opportunity.”

Sir Keir added: “Part of the reason for engaging with China is so that issues where we disagree can be discussed, and the issues where we agree can be progressed, and so that’s the approach.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir was wrong to visit China.

Taking questions from journalists after making a speech on Wednesday morning, the Conservative leader said: “You asked, would I be going to China? No, not now, because I don’t think that this is the time to do that. We need to be talking to those other countries who are worried about the threat China is posing to them.”

She said Sir Keir “needs to show strength, not approving a super-embassy which many people think is going to become a spy hub”.