BEIJING: President Xi Jinping has said that China and the U.K. must build a stable and mutually beneficial relationship that contributes to the well-being of the two countries and the world.
According to a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday, Xi made the remarks while speaking with the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the phone. The Chinese president congratulated Starmer on assuming the office of the Prime Minister.
President Xi noted Beijing and London as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the world’s leading economies, need to view their ties from a long-term and strategic perspective.
He added that China is committed to building a great nation and achieving national rejuvenation on all fronts through modernization. XI hoped that the U.K. will view China in an objective and rational manner.
The statement said the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee laid out a strategic plan for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. China is moving faster to develop new productive forces and advance new industrialization.
Prime Minister Starmer in his remarks congratulated Chinese athletes on their excellent achievements at the Paris Olympics. He said that developing closer U.K.-China collaboration is in the long-term interests of both the countries.
He added enhanced financial, trade, educational, energy and health cooperation support the goals of both the nations and helps address climate change and other global challenges. Starmer said the U.K. hopes to strengthen dialogue and engagement with China at all levels and in various sectors.
President Xi Jinping spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer @Keir_Starmer on the phone.
China and the UK, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as the world’s leading economies, need to view their relations from a long-term and strategic…
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) August 23, 2024
He went on to say the U.K. will have regular engagement with China on major international and regional issues to contribute to world stability and security. Prime Minister Starmer reassured XI that there is no change to the U.K.’s long-term one-China policy.
