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With China’s Xi, Britain’s Starmer hopes gift of Manchester United match ball scores points

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Reviving a familiar playbook, the British leader uses football to seek diplomatic headway during a state visit to Beijing

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday during his visit to China. Photo: AFP

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday during his visit to China. Photo: AFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping received a unique gift from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing on Thursday: the official match ball from Sunday’s fixture between Manchester United and Arsenal, according to media reports.

Starmer is on an official visit to China, the first by a British leader since 2018.

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