Release date: 2024-10-19 04:30
both sides of the strait
Guangdong
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British Foreign Minister William Lam’s visit to China is seen as a trip to reshape relations between the two countries. He met with Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing yesterday. Today he will transfer to Shanghai to meet with British companies doing business in China. Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held talks with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Lam in Beijing yesterday. Wang Yi said that China-UK relations have evolved from history and now stand at a new starting point. The British Labor government has proposed developing long-term, stable and strategic relations with China. China has positively evaluated this and believes that this is in line with the historical logic and practical needs of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with the UK to adhere to openness and cooperation as the main tone and promote China-UK relations to enter a new stage of stable development. He also pointed out that China agreed to fully resume the dialogue and cooperation mechanisms between the two countries in various fields. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “I hope to follow the consensus of the leaders of the two countries as a guide, respect each other’s concerns, deepen strategic communication, build a long-term and stable policy framework, restart various dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, and deepen cooperation in trade, finance, green development, technology, Exchanges and cooperation in the fields of health, education, and humanities.” Lin Dewei pointed out that Britain and China have extensive common interests and there should be no “Iron Curtain” between the two countries. The UK looks forward to expanding cooperation with China in areas such as climate change, energy and environmental protection. British Foreign Secretary Derek Lam said: “The UK has always put national interests and national security first, and I am struck by the scope of our mutually beneficial cooperation, on climate, energy and nature, science and technology, trade and investment, health and development. Of course, in We have different views in some areas, and I hope we can find space to discuss these areas constructively.” The two also mentioned issues related to Taiwan and Hong Kong. Wang Yi emphasized that Taiwan and Hong Kong affairs are China’s internal affairs, and non-interference in internal affairs is a basic norm for international relations. Lin Dewei said that the British government is committed to strengthening dialogue and cooperation with China and effectively managing differences in a manner that is consistent, mutually respectful, and consistent with the long-term interests of both parties. On the Taiwan issue, the UK has abided by the commitments made when establishing diplomatic relations and will do so for a long time to come. The British Foreign Office stated that Lin Dewei and Wang Yi discussed human rights issues in Xinjiang and other places, saying that even if the UK and China have different opinions in this regard, they must deal with them. He also pointed out that the Hong Kong issue involves the common interests of Britain and China, and the British side is seriously concerned about the implementation of the national security law and other issues. The war between Russia and Ukraine was also a focus of the talks. The British side pointed out that Lin Dewei once again expressed concern about China’s alleged supply of equipment to the Russian military industry and urged China to take all measures to thoroughly investigate and prevent Chinese companies from supporting the Russian military. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, also met with Lin Dewei on the same day. Ding Xuexiang said that China and the UK are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major economies in the world, and the interests of both sides are deeply intertwined. China is willing to work with the UK to focus on strategy and the long term, develop stable and mutually beneficial Sino-UK relations, promote the upgrading of practical cooperation in various fields, and inject greater momentum into world peace and prosperity. Lam Dewei is the first cabinet minister to visit China after the British Labor government came to power. The outside world believes that he is trying to reshape Sino-British relations through this two-day trip.