China, Britain agree to work for closer communication, stable ties

Vientiane: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met on Friday here, with the two sides agreed to work together for closer communication and stable relations.

A series of meetings of foreign ministers of southeastern and eastern Asian countries are being held in the capital of Laos, the current rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During his meeting with Lammy, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the relationship between China and Britain is of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, noting they are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as well as major economies in the world, and have extensive exchanges, solid foundation for cooperation and deeply intertwined interests.

China’s efforts following the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee to further deepen reform in an all-round way and promote high-quality development and high-level opening-up will bring more opportunities to Britain and other countries around the world, Wang said.

The two countries can complement each other’s strengths in their cooperative efforts towards common advancement, Wang said. Britain has said it will view its relations with China from a long-term and strategic perspective, and China attaches importance to this, Wang said.

Wang called for joint efforts by the two countries to develop a stable and mutually beneficial relationship, unleashing cooperation potential and boost each other’s development while strengthening bilateral communication and coordination on international affairs and shouldering their due responsibilities to jointly promote world peace.

China is willing to work with Britain to build a positive and stable bilateral framework and smooth down exchange channels, Wang said, while urging both sides to set the right policy orientation, uphold a balanced, pragmatic, open and cooperative attitude, and provide stable and positive expectations for all sectors in the two countries.

The Chinese foreign minister called on the two sides to properly manage differences and carry out communication and exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect. He also voiced hope that Britain will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.

During the meeting, Lammy said his country and China are important cooperative partners, noting the British side is willing to maintain communication and exchanges with the Chinese side to develop a relationship featuring predictability, mutual respect and long-term stability.

Britain’s adherence to the one-China policy remains unchanged, he said.

The British side looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas including culture, education, health care, technology innovation and climate change, he said.

Lammy said Britain attaches importance to China’s important influence and role in international affairs and hopes for a joint response to global challenges.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues of common concern.