On October 18, during a meeting in Beijing, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Foreign Minister, engaged in discussions with British Minister for Development and Foreign Affairs, Andrew Lamy.
Wang emphasized that both China and the UK, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, should act as defenders of the international order centered around the UN. They should also collaborate to tackle global challenges and support each other’s national development. He noted that during a phone conversation in August, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached a significant consensus on enhancing bilateral contact and deepening cooperation, which has boosted confidence in their partnership. Wang expressed China’s willingness to work alongside the UK, guided by the consensus of their leaders, to foster mutual understanding and respect, maintain open collaboration, deepen strategic communication, and advance pragmatic cooperation, all aimed at ushering the China-UK relationship into a new phase of stable development.
Wang referenced a recent documentary titled “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” which tells the story of Chinese fishermen bravely rescuing British POWs during World War II. He highlighted this narrative as a reminder of the shared history of China and the UK fighting against fascism. He stated that while the relationship between the two nations has a rich historical context, they now stand at a new vantage point. He welcomed the UK Labour government’s initiative to cultivate a long-term, stable, and strategically significant relationship with China, recognizing it as aligned with the historical logic and practical needs of both countries, as well as their fundamental interests.
Wang also reaffirmed that issues regarding Taiwan and Hong Kong fall under China’s internal affairs, underscoring the basic principle of non-interference in domestic matters within international relations. He called for mutual respect for each other’s core concerns and suggested that dialogue should be strengthened on an equal footing to foster understanding and create a conducive atmosphere for collaboration. He expressed China’s agreement on fully restoring dialogue and cooperation mechanisms between the two nations across various sectors, including trade, finance, green development, technology, health, education, and culture. In light of unprecedented global challenges, he remarked that great power competition should not define the current era. China, he stated, is willing to collaborate with all countries, including the UK, to enhance dialogue and cooperation, share international responsibilities, adhere to true multilateralism, and promote fairness, justice, and open development in the international arena.
Lamy responded by affirming the UK government’s commitment to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China in a coherent and mutually respectful manner that aligns with long-term interests for both sides while effectively managing differences. He reiterated the UK’s adherence to its commitments regarding the Taiwan issue as established at the time of diplomatic relations and emphasized the enduring common interests between China and the UK, insisting that there should be no “iron curtain” between the two nations. Lamy expressed enthusiasm for increasing high-level exchanges and dialogue across all levels, expanding cooperation in areas such as climate change, energy, environmental protection, technology, trade, investment, and international development to embark on a robust new journey in the UK-China partnership. As both countries bear special responsibilities as permanent members of the UN Security Council, he highlighted the importance of jointly upholding free trade and addressing geopolitical crises and complex challenges through diplomatic means.
The two parties exchanged views on several international and regional hot-button issues, including the Ukraine crisis, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the situation in Myanmar.
