Xi calls for strengthening China-UK ties

He highlights importance of mutual trust in phone talks with Johnson

President Xi Jinping highlighted on Friday the need for China and the United Kingdom to ramp up cooperation, respond to challenges and enable bilateral relations to stay on the right course and attain steady and sustained development.

Speaking during a phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Xi underlined the importance of mutual trust, understanding and properly managing differences in bolstering bilateral ties.

The talks were held as both leaders are scheduled to take part in the G20 Leaders' Summit over the weekend, with the UK set to host the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP 26, starting from Sunday in Glasgow.

China sees relations with the UK from a strategic and long-term perspective, and hopes the UK can respect facts and view China's development path and system from a comprehensive and objective perspective, he said.

Growth in bilateral trade and investment in spite of the pandemic provides further evidence of the win-win and mutually beneficial nature of bilateral cooperation, he added.

Ties between China and the UK, both permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world economies, face opportunities and challenges due to the lingering pandemic and the global economy experiencing an arduous recovery process, the president said.

With 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, the two nations must maintain good communication, enhance cooperation and help the world conquer the pandemic, achieve better governance and attain growth and prosperity.

He welcomed the UK to export more high-quality products to China and to expand bilateral cooperation in healthcare, green development, the digital economy, finance and innovation.

China hopes the UK can provide Chinese businesses with fair, just and unbiased treatment, and the nation will also offer British businesses convenience in conducting cooperation in China, he said.

The two nations should use the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in sports and people-to-people exchanges, he added.

China and the UK should practice true multilateralism, Xi said, adding that he welcomes the UK taking part in the Global Development Initiative to inject impetus into the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The president explained that China's carbon peak and neutrality goals, along with a raft of specific measures to scale up its intended nationally determined contributions, will entail a wide-ranging and profound social and economic transformation and require a step-by-step process and arduous efforts.

China's resolve in expediting green development remains unwavering, and it will honor its commitments as always, he said.

Xi expressed China's support for the UK's presidency at the COP 26, saying that it is important to adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and enable different countries to transform their high ambitions into concrete actions.

Johnson said he highly values the ties between the UK and China, and he agrees with Xi's views on the growth of bilateral relations.

The two nations share consensuses and common interests on issues including global public health, the world economic recovery, the Iran nuclear issue and counterterrorism, he said, highlighting the need for candid conversation and friendly cooperation.

The UK is ready to deepen cooperation in trade, economy, education and clean energy with China, and welcomes more Chinese businesses to invest in the nation, he said, adding that the UK will provide an open business environment to firms from China.

He said he looks forward to maintaining close communication with China on the issue of global climate change and biodiversity protection, and striving to promote balanced and sustainable growth globally.