China and Britain don't see eye to eye but we share many interests

On Jan 27, 2026?(Beijing time),?the British newspaper The Times?published?an article by Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang,?titled "China and Britain don't see eye to eye but we share many interests".?The editor's note highlighted that the Chinese ambassador to the UK writes that co-operation will enhance relations between two countries and smooth over misunderstandings.

The full text of the article is as follows:

China and Britain don't see eye to eye but we share many interests

China?welcomes Prime Minister?Keir Starmer's forthcoming official visit. The last visit?to China by?a British prime minister?took place?in 2018. The past eight years?have?witnessed unprecedented changes in the world, and it has also been an eventful time in China-UK relations. The?resumption of high-level engagement serves the fundamental interests of both countries and reflects the?shared aspirations of our peoples. Our two sides should work together to ensure that the visit?delivers positive outcomes.

We should enhance?political trust.?Mutual trust is the foundation of bilateral relations. This visit will provide?a valuable opportunity for leaders of the two countries to have an in-depth exchange of views?on their?respective domestic priorities and the current complex international situation.

China believes that our two countries should proceed from a long-term and strategic perspective, stick to our positioning as partners, and develop a stable and mutually beneficial relationship. The UK, for its part, has reiterated on many occasions?that it seeks?a long-term, consistent?and strategic relationship with China, and that it?would?be a predictable and pragmatic partner. I hope that, through this visit, both sides will deepen mutual understanding, reaffirm the original vision of a strategic partnership and steer China-UK relations onto a track of steady development.

We should expand practical co-operation.?The Labour government has identified?growing?the economy, lowering the cost of living?and accelerating green transition as its priorities, and has released a modern industrial strategy?and other policy papers. China focuses on?pursuing high-quality development and?deepening reform and opening up in all respects, and is formulating its?15th Five-Year Plan?for national economic and social development. As the world's second-largest economy, China is sharing its vast market demand with the world and providing its partners with more cutting-edge technologies, investments and high-quality yet affordable products.

Closer?collaboration with China will only benefit?the UK in attaining?its development goals. British businesses and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of this through first-hand experience. We should expand dialogue, co-ordination?and co-operation across a wide range of fields, including trade?and?investment, financial services, clean energy, the fight against cross-border crime, education and culture, science and technological innovation, climate change and public health. By extending the list of co-operation, we can?deliver?more tangible benefits to both the Chinese and British?peoples.

We should seek common ground while managing differences.?It is a fact that China and the UK do not see eye?to?eye?on every?issue.?Some of the differences arise from our different?political systems and historical and cultural backgrounds; others from divergent practical interests; and many more?from a lack of engagement and mutual understanding, which can make otherwise normal issues more complicated.

The right approach to addressing these differences is to engage in?rational dialogue, and look for solutions in the spirit of mutual respect and pragmatism. To this end, we should encourage more people-to-people exchanges, and even more so, strengthen regular high-level contacts.?We will find that our common ground far outweighs our differences, and that?many issues can, in fact, be resolved or managed better.?I am confident?this visit will help both?sides to expand common ground and reduce frictions.

We should promote?collaboration in international affairs.?The world is experiencing?growing transformation and turbulence, global?economic growth?remains sluggish,?and the international order faces mounting challenges.?Countries with a sense of responsibility should discern right from wrong,?and stand in solidarity to uphold the post-Second World War international order, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. We should firmly oppose division and confrontation?and dare to call out?unilateralism and bullying.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council?and major economies, China and the UK share common interests and important responsibilities on these major issues. We should strengthen co-ordination and do more to safeguard world peace and support global prosperity.

No storm, no rainbow. I hope?that both sides?will move in the same direction, seize this historic opportunity, and begin a new journey in?China-UK relations, one defined by more trust and collaboration.