Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom David Lammy in Beijing on Friday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China and the UK, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies in the world, should be upholders of the UN-centered international order, collaborators in addressing global challenges, and partners in achieving national development.
"We hope that the two countries, under the guidance of the consensus reached by the leaders, respect each other's concerns, deepen strategic communication, build a long-term and stable policy framework, restart our various dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, deepen exchange and cooperation in trade, finance, green development, science and technology, health, education and people-to-people exchanges, and take mutual benefit as the main theme, so as to usher in a new phase of stable development of China-UK relations," said Wang.
China-UK relations have come a long way in history and now stand at a new starting point, Wang said, adding that the British Labour government has put forward the proposal to develop a long-term, stable and strategically significant relationship with China. The Chinese side has positively evaluated this proposal, as it conforms to the historical logic and practical needs of the bilateral relationship, serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and aligns with the historical trend and the international situation, he said.
Noting that Taiwan and Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and non-interference in internal affairs is a fundamental principle of international relations, Wang said both sides should respect each other's concerns, strengthen dialogue on the basis of equality, enhance understanding, and create an atmosphere for communication and cooperation.
China is willing to work with all countries, including the UK, to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, share international responsibilities, uphold true multilateralism, and effectively promote international fairness, justice and open development, he added.
Lammy, for his part, said the British government is committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China and effectively managing differences in a coherent, mutually respectful manner that serves the long-term interests of both sides.
The UK remains steadfast in honoring its commitment on the Taiwan question since the establishment of diplomatic relations and will stick to it in the long term, Lammy said.
The UK looks forward to strengthening high-level and various levels of dialogue with China, expanding cooperation in areas such as climate change, energy, environmental protection, technology, economy and trade, investment and international development, and embarking on a new journey of strong development of the UK-China partnership, he added.
"As fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council, we hold special obligations to the global community, to show the world that diplomacy can and does work, to show that countries such as ours, with different histories and outlooks, still find pragmatic solutions to complex challenges, and to show that problems are not insurmountable," Lammy said.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the situation in Myanmar and other international and regional hotspot issues.
Chinese FM holds talks with British foreign secretary
Chinese FM holds talks with British foreign secretary
Chinese FM holds talks with British foreign secretary
Chinese FM holds talks with British foreign secretary
