By Laurie Chen and Andy Bruce BEIJING (Reuters) -British finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Saturday during a visit to Beijing that she intended to have "pragmatic" relations with Chinese leaders to boost exports to the world's second-largest economy.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves kicked off a two-day China visit Saturday, a landmark exchange highlighting the Labour government’s efforts to stay focused on long-term plans to get the British economy growing again even as fiscal concerns mount back home.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves will try to build "common ground on trade and investment" during a trip to China this weekend, the Treasury said on Saturday, in the latest move by the government to thaw ties with Beijing.

It follows criticism of the chancellor's trip which comes at a time of economic unease as UK borrowing costs rise.