China-UK ties will not change despite Brexit

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‍Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May met the press together on Wednesday afternoon in Beijing.

Before the press conference, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including China-UK trade, investment, the international situation, the DPRK and human rights, Li said.

Li expressed that Beijing has faith in China-UK ties, saying the relationship between the two countries will not change despite Brexit.

May said that China and the UK will build a global, open economy for all and she is pleased to see some major commercial deals being made during this trip.

China and the UK committed to upholding free trade and globalization.

In response to a CGTN reporter's question, Li said China will expand trade with the UK in the future to ensure that Chinese consumers get more choices with UK imports, adding that investment should follow and it will rely on market principles.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, left rear, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. /Reuters Photo

Britain will be a more outward-looking in the face of Brexit, May said when answering a CGTN reporter's question about Brexit's impact on the UK in relation to the rest of the world.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of more than 10 cooperative documents.

Before the press conference, Li held a welcome ceremony for May at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

May, accompanied by a large business delegation, arrived in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, this morning.

During the three-day visit, she will co-host the annual bilateral prime ministerial meeting with her Chinese counterpart.

This is her second visit to China as prime minister. Her first came when she attended the G20 Summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou in September 2016.