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Keir Starmer has secured a deal on visa-free travel to China for UK citizens during his visit to Beijing. Those visiting the country for less than 30 days will no longer need a visa under the agreement, Downing Street has announced.

It will apply to those travelling to China for business and as tourists and brings the rules for UK visitors in line with those from 50 other countries including France and Germany. The change will not come into effect immediately, but Beijing is understood to have committed to unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens with a start date to be confirmed.

British passport-holders currently need a visa to enter mainland China.

But what else is there to the trip? Here's five things you need to know:

• Keir Starmer is the first Prime Minister to visit China in eight years, signalling a shift in how Britain balances economic opportunity with security concerns. Sir Keir claims this "good progress" will mark a major change in relations including: visafree travel, economic growth and deeper commercial engagement.

• The complex but "unavoidable" relationship now includes visafree travel to China for UK citizens matching the access granted to a wide range of European states. These new opportunities will aim to improve the economy through expanding into the Chinese market, aiming to grow the £13 billion worth of services sold by UK firms to China each year. With China being the UK's fifth-largest trading partner, this opportunity of a "more sophisticated relationship," marks closer relations that could benefit both countries.

• Nearly 60 British businesses and cultural organisations have joined Starmer on the visit to lobby for improved access to a market. Outcomes include the possibility of reducing the 10 percent tariff on scotch whisky.

• The shifting relations with China has raised serious public concern. Security risks dominate discussions with espionage fears at the centre of it. Tensions spiked when the government approved a Chinese mega embassy in London. The site stands close to vital communication cables. Critics warn of surveillance risks and foreign intelligence activity. Many fear that sensitive data could be exposed or shared abroad.

• The politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai, rooted in his right to freedom of expression, remains a major point of tension too. The UK has repeatedly called for the repeal of Hong Kong's national security law, and Sir Keir says he raised the case in a "respectful discussion" during his visit. Jimmy Lai's son, Sebastien, urged the Prime Minister to use the visit to defend his father, stressing that "this is not about negotiating a handful of business contacts or extracting a promise of investment."