In a further sign of the relative normalisation of relations between China and Britain, since last year’s UK general election, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited London on February 13.
Meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Wang said that China is willing to collaborate with Britain to consolidate the positive momentum towards stabilising and improving bilateral relations. The successful meeting between President Xi Jinping and Starmer at the end of last year has launched the process of improving and developing China-Britain relations. The recent China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue has produced fruitful results and exchanges at all levels have been resumed.
This demonstrates the huge potential of practical cooperation between the two countries, and also fully proves that the Labour government’s rational and pragmatic policy towards China is in line with the interests of the country and people and conforms to the trend of the times, Wang said. He added that China stands ready to work with Britain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, so as to deepen and expand cooperation in infrastructure, trade and investment, clean energy and other fields, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.
He noted that the world is becoming volatile and changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Britain should strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, demonstrate their responsibilities as major countries, and deepen cooperation in key areas concerning the future of humanity, including climate change, artificial intelligence, and green development, thereby contributing to greater certainty and stability in the world.
Wang also met with Jonathan Powell, the British prime minister’s national security adviser and secretary to the National Security Council, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, with whom he co-chaired the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said that the two sides have resumed exchanges in various fields and reestablished mechanisms of communication, with positive outcomes. This has boosted the confidence of the two societies and has sent a positive message to the world. It has been proven that strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Britain is the right choice, serves the interests of both sides, and aligns with the global trend. It is only natural that there are differences and disagreements between China and Britain, as the two countries have different political systems, history and culture. What is important is to have an objective and rational perspective and strengthen dialogue and communication in the spirit of mutual respect.
He added that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Under the current circumstances, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Britain should demonstrate their responsibility as major powers, practice multilateralism, support free trade, promote the political settlement of hot-spot issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability.
The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges at various levels, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, and continue to promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and enable each other’s green transition.
In a detailed discussion of the Ukraine crisis, Wang stressed that China has always called for “no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities and no fanning flames.” The developments on the ground have proved the rationality and constructiveness of China’s position, he said.
The website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry identified six outcomes of the Strategic Dialogue:
- The UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Emissions (Ed Miliband) will visit China for the China-UK Energy Dialogue.
- The UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle) will visit China for a meeting of the China-UK Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation.
- The UK’s Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson) will visit China for ministerial consultations.
- Preparations will be accelerated for holding the China-UK Economic and Trade Joint Committee, as well as dialogues on health, industrial cooperation, and other mechanisms.
- Achievements in cooperation in financial services, clean energy, and AI will be highlighted.
- Cooperation will be deepened in global governance, development partnerships, climate change response, and cyber security.
Following his departure from London, Wang Yi attended the 2025 annual meeting of the Munich Security Conference.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
China ready to work with Britain to consolidate bilateral ties: FM
LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday that China is willing to collaborate with Britain to consolidate the positive momentum towards stabilizing and improving bilateral relations.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said this during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Wang first conveyed the cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Starmer, saying the successful meeting between Xi and Starmer at the end of last year has launched the process of improving and developing China-Britain relations.
Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the recent China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue has produced fruitful results and exchanges at all levels have been resumed, Wang said.
This demonstrates the huge potential of practical cooperation between the two countries, and also fully proves that the Labour government’s rational and pragmatic policy towards China is in line with the interests of the country and people and conforms to the trend of the times, he said.
He said China stands ready to work with Britain to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen and expand cooperation in infrastructure, trade and investment, clean energy and other fields, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.
Wang noted that the world is becoming volatile and changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Britain should strengthen strategic communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, demonstrate their responsibilities as major countries, and deepen cooperation in key areas concerning the future of humanity, including climate change, artificial intelligence, and green development, thus to contribute greater certainty and stability to the world, he said.
Starmer asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Xi, noting that the current cooperation between Britain and China in various fields has made positive progress. He added that he looks forward to candid and constructive dialogues between the two countries to promote the sustained and stable development of Britain-China relations.
During his visit to Britain, Wang also met with Jonathan Powell, British prime minister’s national security adviser, and co-chaired the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
China, Britain agree to enhance strategic communication, understanding
LONDON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — China and Britain have agreed to strengthen strategic communication and mutual understanding following a meeting of senior officials on Thursday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Jonathan Powell, the British prime minister’s national security adviser and secretary to the National Security Council, spoke highly of the steady improvement and sound momentum in bilateral relations and the achievements of practical cooperation.
They agreed to follow the guidance of the important agreements between their countries’ top leaders, strengthen strategic communication and mutual understanding, take openness and cooperation as the main theme, and explore ways to expand common interests, so as to drive the steady and long-term healthy development of China-British relations.
They also exchanged views on strategic security and hot-spot issues of common concern.
Wang is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
China, Britain need to strengthen dialogue, communication: FM
LONDON, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — China and Britain need to strengthen dialogue and communication, said visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday when he co-chaired the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in November has provided guidance and given impetus to the improvement and enhancement of bilateral relations.
The two sides have since resumed exchanges in various fields and mechanisms of communication, with positive outcomes. This has boosted the confidence of the two societies and has sent a positive message to the world, Wang said.
It has been proven that strengthening dialogue and cooperation between China and Britain is the right choice, serves the interests of both sides, and aligns with the global trend, he said.
It is only natural that there are differences and disagreements between China and Britain, as the two countries have different political systems, history and culture. What is important is to have an objective and rational perspective and strengthen dialogue and communication in the spirit of mutual respect, said Wang.
China regards Britain as an important strategic partner and stands ready to make good on the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the momentum of stabilizing and improving bilateral relations, formulate plans on high-level exchanges in the next period, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields in order to foster a fresh outlook in bilateral relations in the new year, Wang said.
He noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.
Under the current circumstances, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Britain should demonstrate their responsibility as major powers, practice multilateralism, support free trade, promote the political settlement of hot-spot issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability, he said.
Lammy, for his part, said that Britain-China relations are of great importance.
As challenges grow in the current international situation, it is necessary for Britain and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global powers, to strengthen strategic communication and jointly promote world peace and stability.
Following the meeting of the top leaders of the two countries, progress has been made in dialogue and cooperation, particularly in the field of economy and finance, said Lammy.
Britain is committed to developing a long-term stable, mature and strong relationship with China, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China and carry out constructive dialogue and practical cooperation in various fields, he added.
The two sides agreed on a roadmap for future bilateral exchanges, and agreed to strengthen exchanges at various levels, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, and continue to promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and enable each other’s green transition.
Wang also elaborated on China’s position, among other issues, on Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine crisis.
Wang explained China’s position in a comprehensive manner. He stressed that China has always been guided by the four points about what must be done put forward by President Xi Jinping, and has called for “no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities and no fanning flames.” The developments on the ground have proved the rationality and constructiveness of China’s position, he said.
China welcomes all efforts toward peace talks on the Ukraine crisis and supports the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture for the sake of Europe’s lasting peace and stability. China is willing to work with all parties, including Europe, to play a constructive role in this regard, Wang said.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other issues.
