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🇸🇬 Singapore /Economy & Trade

Xi tells Britain’s Burnham that China and UK share more interests than differences

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Official statement Context piece
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping told British Prime Minister Andy Burnham that Beijing and London have more common interests than differences during a Sept. 8 phone call.
  • The leaders discussed cooperation in technology, education, healthcare, finance and economic growth, while Burnham raised security, Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights and consular cases.
  • The call followed warmer China-Britain relations and Beijing’s interest in protecting the rights of Chinese investors in Britain.

Chinese President Xi Jinping struck an upbeat tone in his first publicly known conversation with Britain’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham. The two leaders spoke by phone on Sept. 8 at Burnham’s invitation, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

Overcome differences, seek common ground, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

· Xi JinpingXi described the approach he said China and Britain should take in their bilateral relationship.

Xi said Beijing and London should “overcome differences, seek common ground, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.” He identified technology, education, healthcare and financial services as areas where the countries could work together. He also said both countries support multilateralism and open trade, and should coordinate more closely through multilateral frameworks.

Burnham’s office said the discussion focused on pragmatic cooperation, including economic growth and improving living standards. Downing Street said the prime minister also raised domestic security, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights and consular cases of particular importance.

Importance of pragmatic cooperation.

· Andy BurnhamBurnham’s office used the phrase to describe the focus of the leaders’ discussion.

The conversation came after relations improved in recent months. Former British leader Keir Starmer visited Beijing in January, after which China agreed to extend a visa-free scheme to Britons and halve tariffs on whisky. The two countries also share an interest in diversifying trade links as tensions with Washington grow.

The prime minister said that he would engage frankly and constructively on issues that matter for both countries, and raised domestic security, Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights and consular cases of particular importance.

· Downing Street spokespersonThe spokesperson summarized the issues Burnham raised with Xi.

Xi said China and Britain are both major technology powers and should maintain an open, forward-looking approach. In an apparent reference to Britain’s nationalization of Chinese steelmaker-owned British Steel, he urged the UK to “fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors.”

Fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors.

· Xi JinpingXi made the appeal in an apparent reference to Britain’s nationalization of British Steel.
About this summary

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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