China has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the United Kingdom to foster stable and improving bilateral relations while enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and
investment, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.
High-level diplomatic engagement in London
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made his first official visit to Britain in a decade on Thursday, meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell. The discussions underscored Beijing’s intent to strengthen strategic communication, build mutual trust, and uphold the responsibilities of major global players.
During the talks, Wang highlighted the success of the recent China-UK financial dialogue, which took place in Beijing last month, emphasizing the renewed momentum in economic cooperation. "The dialogue has yielded significant results, and exchanges at all levels have resumed, showcasing the vast potential for practical collaboration between the two nations," he noted.
Strengthening bilateral relations under the Labour government
Since assuming power in July, the Labour government has prioritized improving ties with China, marking a shift from the strained relations that characterized previous Conservative administrations.
Prime Minister Starmer, who briefly joined the meeting between Wang and Powell, emphasized his commitment to fostering "consistent and respectful" UK-China relations. A spokesperson for the prime minister stated that Starmer aims to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and other mutually beneficial areas while maintaining candid discussions on issues of divergence.
Collaboration on global challenges
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in key areas such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, future bilateral engagements will include institutional dialogues on the economy, trade, health, and industrial collaboration.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that his discussions with Wang covered a wide range of topics, including international security, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and tensions in the Middle East. While reaffirming the UK’s dedication to diplomatic engagement, Lammy also reiterated Britain’s concerns regarding human rights issues, including the imprisonment of Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai and sanctions imposed on British parliamentarians by China.
China's position on global security
Wang also articulated China’s stance on the war in Ukraine, advocating for de-escalation and the prevention of further conflict expansion. According to China’s official news agency Xinhua, he stressed that China supports diplomatic efforts toward peace and backs the establishment of a "balanced, effective, and sustainable European security framework."
As both nations prepare for further high-level engagements, the visit signals an effort to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties, underscoring the mutual benefits of stable and constructive relations between China and the UK. Photo by Agencia de Noticias ANDES, Wikimedia commons.