Sir Keir met President Xi on the fringes of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, according to the Press Association news agency.
Speaking at the start of the meeting, the PM said: “We want our relations to be consistent, durable, respectful, as we have agreed, avoid surprises where possible.”
He added: “The UK will be a predictable, consistent, sovereign actor committed to the rule of law.”
Sir Keir also proposed a full bilateral meeting in Beijing or London.
Speaking through a translator, Mr Xi told Sir Keir that the two countries should commit to mutual respect and openess, saying: “China and the UK have broad space for co-operation across various domains, including trade, investment, clean energy, financial services, healthcare and improving our peoples’ well-being.”
In August, the pair spoke over the phone after Labour’s election victory the previous month, but they have not yet met in person.
China’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine has prompted criticism from the UK and other Western countries.
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