China seeks to develop ties with UK but will not accept any smearing

China hopes to develop ties with the United Kingdom on the basis of mutual respect and properly addressing differences, but will not accept any smearing and unfounded accusations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun has said.

Guo made the remarks on Wednesday after the UK government said in a report that China's spying has risen in recent years.

"China pursues peaceful development, does not pose a threat to any country, and does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs," Guo emphasized.

China and the UK are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies in the world, Guo said, adding that it's in line with the interests of both countries and the world to develop bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation.