China willing to boost ties with UK

Vice-President Han Zheng stressed China's readiness to bolster cooperation with the United Kingdom to seek win-win outcomes and common development while attending the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and related activities in London from Friday to Saturday.

Han, who is President Xi Jinping's special representative, conveyed to King Charles III sincere congratulations from the Chinese leader and best wishes to the King and Queen Camilla, the British royal family, and the British people.

Han also had brief meetings with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Prince of Wales William, and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.

He noted China-UK cooperation is built on a solid foundation and carries immense potential, and the UK has become a key destination for Chinese investment in Europe as well as an important destination for Chinese students and tourists.

He expressed hope that the British government will create a fair, just and non-discriminatory investment environment for Chinese companies and offer a sound and safe environment for Chinese students in the country as well as Chinese tourists.

Both China and the UK are supporters, champions and beneficiaries of economic globalization, multilateralism and free trade, Han said.

China is willing to conduct exchanges with the British side on a wide range of issues on the premise of mutual respect and equal treatment, enhance mutual understanding, narrow differences, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two countries and the world, he added.

The British side said they attach great importance to developing relations with China, regard Han's visit as an important opportunity to promote bilateral relations, and look forward to strengthening high-level exchanges with China and further expanding economic cooperation.

They stressed that the UK stands ready to strengthen cooperation with China over such issues as health, climate change and global stability, make joint efforts to build a stable and constructive relationship, and let Chinese companies, students and tourists feel welcome and safe.

Han also attended a welcome dinner hosted by Chinese and British business communities in London on Thursday.

In a speech delivered at the dinner, he expressed hope that the British business community will continue to contribute wisdom and strength to the growth of bilateral ties.

He said he believes that the Chinese and British people, with their rich wisdom and innovation spirit, will definitely create more opportunities and bring bilateral cooperation to a higher level.