China’s President Xi Jinping has expressed a strong commitment to enhancing relations with Britain, emphasizing the importance of stable and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations. In a phone conversation on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, held at Starmer’s request, President Xi highlighted the potential for both countries to contribute significantly to global peace and development.
Strengthening Partnership and Cooperation
President Xi underscored that as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major global economies, China and Britain share a responsibility to remain steadfast partners. He called for strengthening dialogue and cooperation, stating that stable and mutually beneficial China-Britain relations would not only benefit both countries but also have a positive impact on the world.
“China stands ready to engage in equal dialogue with Britain on the basis of mutual respect,” Xi said. He emphasized the need to enhance mutual understanding and trust, making mutual benefit and a win-win approach the cornerstone of China-Britain relations.
Expanding Areas of Collaboration
Highlighting opportunities for synergy, President Xi expressed China’s readiness to align development strategies with Britain. He proposed expanding cooperation in finance, the green economy, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of deepening people-to-people exchanges to foster closer ties between the two nations.
Britain’s Commitment to Closer Ties
Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed President Xi’s sentiments, stating that it is in the long-term interest of both countries to develop a closer cooperative relationship. He noted that strengthening cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, finance, education, clean energy, medicine, and health would promote mutual development and address global challenges like climate change.
Starmer expressed Britain’s hope to enhance contact and dialogue with China at all levels and in all fields. He emphasized the desire to promote practical cooperation and institutional exchanges to achieve positive results and develop long-term, stable, and strategic Britain-China relations based on mutual respect.
Shared Vision for Global Peace and Stability
Both leaders acknowledged the importance of maintaining communication on major global and regional issues. Starmer stated that Britain is ready to contribute to world peace and stability through ongoing dialogue with China. He also reiterated Britain’s adherence to the one-China policy.
President Xi welcomed Britain’s desire to enhance contact and dialogue, affirming China’s willingness to work together to promote world peace and development.
Reference(s):
President Xi calls for stable and far-reaching China-Britain ties
cgtn.com
