President Xi calls on China, Britain to transcend differences, seek common ground

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Britain to respect and trust each other, transcend differences, seek common ground while reserving differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation.

Xi made the remarks during phone talks with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Congratulating Burnham on assuming office as British prime minister, Xi said that China and Britain are comprehensive strategic partners.

Despite differences in their social systems and national conditions, the two countries share more common interests than differences, Xi said.

Both governments are committed to developing their economies and improving people's well-being, and the two countries can complement each other's strengths and assist each other, Xi said.

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will further expand opening up in areas such as education, healthcare and finance, all of which offer great potential for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.

Pointing out that China and Britain are both major countries in science and technology with rich resources in education, culture, sports and other fields, Xi called on the two sides to maintain an open and forward-looking mentality and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Xi expressed the hope that the British side will fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese investors.

Xi noted that China and Britain, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major economies in the world, both support multilateralism and open trade and uphold the central role of the United Nations.

The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination within frameworks such as the UN, the Group of 20 and the World Trade Organization and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.

Agreeing with Xi, Burnham noted his long-standing connection with China as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Recalling Xi's visit to the city as part of his state visit to Britain in 2015, he said it had a great impact on Manchester's ties with China.

He emphasized that Britain will maintain consistency in its China policy and be steadfast in building the long-term and consistent strategic partnership with China.

Britain is ready to pursue high-level interactions with China, take forward various areas of cooperation, strengthen people-to-people ties and take the relationship to strong levels not seen before for the benefit of people in both countries, said Burnham.

Britain's position on the Taiwan question is unchanged, he noted.

Against the backdrop of volatile and complicated international dynamics, Britain and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should tackle international hotspot issues through dialogue, address climate change and other global challenges, and work together to safeguard global stability and prosperity, he said.

Burnham commended China for its exemplary response to the mudslide on its border with Nepal and thanked the Chinese side for its assistance to the affected British nationals.

(With input from Xinhua)