LONDON (AP) — Britain and Mauritius are finalizing a deal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, a disputed U.K. territory that is home to a major U.S. military base, the U.K. government said Tuesday.
The government signaled that President Donald Trump’s administration, which was consulted on the deal, has given its approval and no further action is needed from the U.S.
“We are working with the Mauritian government to finalize and sign the treaty,” said Tom Wells, a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “Once signed it will be laid before both houses of Parliament for scrutiny and for ratification.”
Britain and Mauritius have been negotiating a deal for the U.K. to hand over the Indian Ocean archipelago, which is home to a strategically important naval and bomber base on the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia. The U.K. would then lease back the base for at least 99 years.
But the deal has faced criticism from the opposition Conservative Party and from some allies of Trump. Last year the now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it posed “a serious threat” to U.S. national security.
Trump indicated during a visit to Washington by Starmer in February that he would support the deal, saying: “I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well.”
Britain split the islands away from Mauritius, a former British colony, in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence, and called the Chagos archipelago the British Indian Ocean Territory.
In the 1960s and 1970s Britain evicted up to 2,000 people from the islands so the U.S. military could build the Diego Garcia base.
Mauritius has long contested Britain’s claim to the archipelago and in recent years the United Nations and its top court have urged Britain to return the Chagos to Mauritius.
Britain agreed to do so in a draft deal in October, but that has been delayed by a change of government in Mauritius and reported quarrels over how much the U.K. should pay for the lease of the Diego Garcia air base.
The Chagos islanders, many of whom relocated to Britain, say they were not consulted over the agreement. Under the draft deal, a resettlement fund would be created to help displaced islanders move back to the islands, apart from Diego Garcia. Details of any such measures remain unclear.
Two Chagossian women are seeking to take the U.K. government to court over the issue. Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, both British citizens, fear it will become even harder to go back to live where they were born once Mauritius takes control of the islands.
FILE - This image released by the U.S. Navy shows an aerial view of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Island group. (U.S. Navy via AP, File)
BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 8, 2026--
From June 1–6, 2026, the 2026 Beijing Inbound Tourism Development Conference was held in Beijing, co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Focusing on immersive experiences and real-world tourism resources, the event aims to enhance Beijing’s inbound tourism offerings, stimulate cultural and tourism consumption, and strengthen the city’s global appeal.
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Supported by major airlines including Air China and Cathay Pacific, the conference welcomed more than 300 travel trade professionals from over 40 countries and regions, including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, and Russia. Officials highlighted China’s strong inbound tourism performance in 2025, with 154.5 million inbound visits, 35.17 million international arrivals, and over 30 million visa-free entries.
Beijing continues to improve travel convenience through the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, streamlined airport procedures, and broader acceptance of international payment methods. The city is also expanding sectors such as MICE, sports tourism, and urban leisure tourism while strengthening overseas promotion through its “Go Beijing” platform.
Centered on the theme of immersive Chinese daily-life experiences, the conference launched the “Discover the New Beijing” Top 10 Inbound Tourism Experiences, showcasing Beijing’s blend of traditional culture, local lifestyle, innovative retail, and technological advancement. In partnership with Booking.com, Tripadvisor, and more than 100 tourism experts, Beijing also introduced its first inbound tourism “Must-Eat” and “Must-Buy” lists, encouraging deeper cultural engagement beyond traditional sightseeing.
During the event, Beijing announced RMB 9 million in funding to support inbound tourism development and recognized outstanding local tourism enterprises. The city also welcomed 14 new overseas partners, bringing its global network of strategic tourism and OTA partners to 110.
Eight immersive inspection routes were introduced, connecting destinations such as Gubei Water Town, Huairou boutique homestays, Baidu’s autonomous driving showcase, and Shougang’s digital culture park. International delegates praised experiences including smart exoskeleton-assisted Great Wall tours and the integration of rural landscapes with Beijing’s historic heritage.
The conference also facilitated over 3,000 pre-arranged business meetings through its digital matchmaking platform. Concluding with a Beijing-style immersive performance at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, the event reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to showcasing a vibrant, innovative, and globally connected modern Chinese capital.
2026 Beijing Inbound Tourism Development Conference Kicks off, Unveiling 10 New Inbound Tourism Experiences to Boost Cultural and Tourism Consumption
