BEIJING/LONDON: Chinese President Xi Jinping held his first publicly known telephone conversation with Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday, telling him that China and the United Kingdom share “more common interests than differences” and should expand cooperation despite continuing disagreements.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi called for the two countries to seek common ground and deepen cooperation in areas including technology, education, healthcare and financial services. He also said Beijing and London should work together in support of multilateralism and open international trade.
Downing Street said Burnham emphasised the importance of pragmatic economic cooperation but also raised a number of contentious issues, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hong Kong, human rights, domestic security and several consular cases. The call took place at Burnham’s invitation.
Xi also urged Britain to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese investors, remarks that appeared to refer partly to Britain’s nationalisation of Chinese-owned British Steel. Relations between London and Beijing had already begun warming under former prime minister Keir Starmer, whose visit to China earlier this year resulted in measures including expanded visa-free travel for Britons and lower Chinese tariffs on whisky.