Podcast
Defense & Aerospace Report

UK-China, Japan’s Elections, National Defense Strategy, and More

patrick-cronin
patrick-cronin
Patrick M. Cronin
Asia-Pacific Security Chair
Patrick M. Cronin
Podcast
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) shakes hands with National People’s Congress Chairman, Zhao Leji, (R) ahead of a bilateral meeting during his visit to China, on January 29, 2026 in Beijing, China. Keir Starmer undertakes a high-profile diplomatic mission to China and Japan, marking the first visit to Beijing by a British leader since 2018. Accompanied by a delegation of 50 business leaders, Starmer aims to "reset" relations with President Xi Jinping to stimulate UK economic growth through expanded trade
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to China, on January 29, 2026, in Beijing, China. (Getty Images)

On the Defense and Aerospace Report, Patrick Cronin discusses Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing to deepen trade ties, Japan’s upcoming elections, Under Secretary Elbridge Colby’s National Defense Strategy follow-up in Seoul and Tokyo, and debates on China policy and Xi Jinping’s impatience with his military leaders. (Timestamp 34:40-43:10)

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